bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy-DEMATEL based competitive analysis of green suppliers in a supply chain
Authors: Taso Shu Hua , Chen Wenru , Ou Shih Ming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
With the increasingly fierce competition among enterprises, the role of suppliers and core companies has shifted from “competitors” to “partners”. Under such a co-opetition relationship, how to be sustained success in a supply chain without protection or subsidies is a key issue for the survival and development of suppliers. This study aims to explore the factors that influence the competitiveness of suppliers. Based on Baosteel, firstly, this study constructed a hierarchical structure including 3 aspects and 13 factors. After acquiring 12 experts’ assessments, Fuzzy-DEMATEL was employed to process the data. Finally, causal map was plotted according to the outputs. Referring to the causal map, we found that “Green Manufacturing Process” and “Use of Environmentally Friendly Materials” are the most influential factors in term of total influence and net influence. Therefore, these two factors can be regarded as critical factors.
Effects of cryogenic treatment on mechanical properties and crystal orientation of 0.25C-0.80Si-1.6Mn steel with extraordinary strength-toughness
Authors: Chen Yongli , Li Yuhua , Zhou Xuejiao , Tan Fei , Jiang Yueyue 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) in the phase transition region of austenite (A) to ferrite (F) is a novel process that can efficiently improve the content of martensite (M) and F of dual phase (DP) steel. In this work, microstructure transformation in DP structural steel treated by DCT was investigated in detail. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to characterize the microstructure, alloy distribution, grain size, and orientation for the DP structural steel. The results demonstrated that DCT could effectively improve the yield ratio and mechanical properties of the tested steel. F and its large-angle significantly reduced the influence of fine-grain strengthening on the reduction of yield ratio. This research offered innovative technical support and theory guidelines for producing and studying such extraordinary strength-toughness DP steel with high strength and low yield ratio.
Acquiring photoacoustic signature of hematocrit variation from plexus layer of in-silico human skin phantom
Authors: Banerjee Soumyodeep , Sarkar Sandip , Karmakar Subhajit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Optical penetration inside human skin is constrained by the wavelength dependent scattering and absorption losses by tissue microstructure and chromophores. This computational study investigates whether the signature of hematocrit variation from plexus i.e., the first skin layer having very small blood volume percentage distributed in capillary vessels, is retained by the detected photoacoustic response. The in-silico skin phantom is irradiated by a light source equivalent to a small footprint and low power (below 5 W) continuous wave LASER diode. As the low fluence can be compensated by exploiting strong absorption by targeted chromophores (hemoglobin molecules), an irradiation of wavelength 405 nm has been used to generate detectable pressure from capillary blood vessels of plexus. Optical energy deposition inside the tissue has been modelled using Monte Carlo technique and the pressure wave is computed using k-wave. It is found that with the increase in hematocrit from 10% to 50%, photoacoustic amplitude monotonically increases and gets almost doubled. The increment is about 30% in the range of hematocrit of physiological interest (from 30% to 50%). The variation follows a quadratic relationship for the entire hematocrit range. This photoacoustic signature of hematocrit variation has further been validated against minimum detectable pressure (800 Pa). This numerical model is expected to be an important basis to realize the idea of low cost small footprint in-vivo photoacoustic hematocrit measurement device.
Structures of Morality and Allegiance in the Character Arc Story
Authors: Kelly Rory , Cumming Samuel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The view that allegiance to characters is a matter of general moral assessment, as developed by Carroll (1984) and Smith (1995), has the resources to respond to counter-examples proposed in the literature, including appeals to anti-heroes, rough heroes and other ‘reprehensible characters’ that garner our allegiance. It can even admit non-moral factors as subterranean influences on moral assessment. Nevertheless, the view requires that the characters we most favour are those with the highest moral standing, and this does not seem to be true of the character arc story (Kelly, 2020). Rather, the mixture of good and bad impulses in the protagonist is set off by the unalloyed moral example of the moral centre, a supporting character whose fate may barely interest us. We conclude that narrative theory is better served by allowing the moral hierarchy of a story to differ from the rank order of its allegiances, and hence that audience affiliation is not simply a matter of moral assessment.
CanDriS: posterior profiling of cancer-driving sites based on two-component evolutionary model
Authors: Zhao Wenyi , Yang Jingwen , Wu Jingcheng , Cai Guoxing , Zhang Yao , Haltom Jeffrey , Su Weijia , Dong Michael J , Chen Shuqing , Wu Jian , Zhou Zhan , Gu Xun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Current cancer genomics databases have accumulated millions of somatic mutations that remain to be further explored. Due to the over-excess mutations unrelated to cancer, the great challenge is to identify somatic mutations that are cancer-driven. Under the notion that carcinogenesis is a form of somatic-cell evolution, we developed a two-component mixture model: while the ground component corresponds to passenger mutations, the rapidly evolving component corresponds to driver mutations. Then, we implemented an empirical Bayesian procedure to calculate the posterior probability of a site being cancer-driven. Based on these, we developed a software CanDriS (Cancer Driver Sites) to profile the potential cancer-driving sites for thousands of tumor samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas and International Cancer Genome Consortium across tumor types and pan-cancer level. As a result, we identified that approximately 1% of the sites have posterior probabilities larger than 0.90 and listed potential cancer-wide and cancer-specific driver mutations. By comprehensively profiling all potential cancer-driving sites, CanDriS greatly enhances our ability to refine our knowledge of the genetic basis of cancer and might guide clinical medication in the upcoming era of precision medicine. The results were displayed in a database CandrisDB (http://biopharm.zju.edu.cn/candrisdb/).
Activation of angiotensin type 2 receptor attenuates testosterone-induced hypertension and uterine vascular resistance in pregnant rats
Authors: Mishra Jay S , Kumar Sathish 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder with unclear mechanisms. While hypersensitivity to angiotensin II via vasoconstrictive angiotensin type-1 receptor (AT1R) is observed in preeclampsia, the importance of vasodilatory angiotensin type-2 receptor (AT2R) in the control of vascular dysfunction is less clear. We assessed whether AT1R, AT2R, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression are altered in placental vessels of preeclamptic women and tested if ex vivo incubation with AT2R agonist Compound 21 (C21; 1 μM) could restore AT1R, AT2R, and eNOS balance. Further, using a rat model of gestational hypertension induced by elevated testosterone, we examined whether C21 (1 μg/kg/day, oral) could preserve AT1R and AT2R balance and improve blood pressure, uterine artery blood flow, and vascular function. Western blots revealed that AT1R protein level was higher while AT2R and eNOS protein were reduced in preeclamptic placental vessels, and AT2R agonist C21 decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels in preeclamptic vessels. In testosterone dams, blood pressure was higher, and uterine artery blood flow was reduced, and C21 treatment reversed these levels similar to those in controls dams. C21 attenuated the exaggerated Ang II contraction and improved endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in uterine arteries of testosterone dams. These C21-mediated vascular effects were associated with decreased AT1R and increased AT2R and eNOS protein levels. C21 also increased serum nitrate/nitrite and bradykinin production in testosterone dams and attenuated the fetoplacental growth restriction. Thus, AT1R upregulation and AT2R downregulation are observed in preeclampsia and testosterone model, and increasing AT2R activity could help restore AT1R and AT2R balance and improve gestational vascular function.
Unusual Localization of Blood-Borne Loa loa Microfilariae in the Skin Depends on Microfilarial Density in the Blood: Implications for Onchocerciasis Diagnosis in Coendemic Areas
Authors: Niamsi-Emalio Yannick , Nana-Djeunga Hugues C , Chesnais Cédric B , Pion Sébastien D S , Tchatchueng-Mbougua Jules B , Boussinesq Michel , Basáñez María-Gloria , Kamgno Joseph 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
The diagnostic gold standard for onchocerciasis relies on identification and enumeration of (skin-dwelling) Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae (mf) using the skin snip technique (SST). In a recent study, blood-borne Loa loa mf were found by SST in individuals heavily infected with L. loa, and microscopically misidentified as O. volvulus due to their superficially similar morphology. This study investigates the relationship between L. loa microfilarial density (Loa MFD) and the probability of testing SST positive.

Methods
A total of 1053 participants from the (onchocerciasis and loiasis coendemic) East Region in Cameroon were tested for (1) Loa MFD in blood samples, (2) O. volvulus presence by SST, and (3) Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 antibody positivity to Ov16 by rapid diagnostic test (RDT). A Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model was used to perform a supervised classification of SST status and identify a Loa MFD threshold above which it is highly likely to find L. loa mf in skin snips.

Results
Of 1011 Ov16-negative individuals, 28 (2.8%) tested SST positive and 150 (14.8%) were L. loa positive. The range of Loa MFD was 0–85 200 mf/mL. The CART model subdivided the sample into 2 Loa MFD classes with a discrimination threshold of 4080 (95% CI, 2180–12 240) mf/mL. The probability of being SST positive exceeded 27% when Loa MFD was &gt;4080 mf/mL.

Conclusions
The probability of finding L. loa mf by SST increases significantly with Loa MFD. Skin-snip polymerase chain reaction would be useful when monitoring onchocerciasis prevalence by SST in onchocerciasis–loiasis coendemic areas.
Cytomegalovirus reactivation in left ventricular assist device patients: case series and literature review
Authors: Abohelwa Mostafa M , Hassan Mona Ali , Zahnan Jad , Sfeir Pierre , El Zakhem Aline , Skouri Hadi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation after placing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is not a well-known entity with few cases reported in the literature. Here, we are presenting three cases of CMV reactivation after placing LVAD. A literature review of all reported cases in the literature was done.

Case summary
Three cases of advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (Stage D9) had placed (LVAD) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary care centre in Lebanon. Within the first 2 weeks after LVAD implantation, the three patients spiked a high-grade fever for which sepsis workup was done, and antibiotics were initiated. Despite the escalating antibiotic regimens, the three patients had a persistent high-grade fever. The negative cultures and the continuous fever prompted an investigation for other causes of fever. Therefore, CMV polymerase chain reaction in blood was performed and revealed high titres. Patients received a full course of treatment with ganciclovir. The fever and the CMV titres declined after completing the antiviral therapy with better clinical outcomes. This raises the concern of CMV reactivation in LVAD patients.

Discussion
This case series and literature review highlight the epidemiology, incidence, and management of CMV reactivation among LVAD patients. Awareness about this clinical entity should be raised, especially with the increase of LVAD surgeries.
Yeasts as a promising delivery platform for DNA and RNA vaccines
Authors: Silva Anna Jéssica Duarte , de Macêdo Larissa Silva , Leal Lígia Rosa Sales , de Jesus André Luiz Santos , Freitas Antonio Carlos 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTYeasts are considered a useful system for the development of vaccines for human and veterinary health. Species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris have been used successfully as host organisms for the production of subunit vaccines. These organisms have been also explored as vaccine vehicles enabling the delivery of antigens such as proteins and nucleic acids. The employed species possess a GRAS status (Generally Recognized as Safe) for the production of therapeutic proteins, besides promoting immunostimulation due to the properties of their wall cell composition. This strategy allows the administration of nucleic acids orally and a specific delivery to professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this review, we seek to outline the development of whole yeast vaccines (WYV) carrying nucleic acids in different approaches in the medical field, as well as the immunological aspects of this vaccine strategy. The data presented here reveal the application of this platform in promoting effective immune responses in the context of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches.
Genetic Drift Dominates Genome-Wide Regulatory Evolution Following an Ancient Whole-Genome Duplication in Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Verta Jukka-Pekka , Barton Henry J , Pritchard Victoria , Primmer Craig R 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Whole-genome duplications (WGD) have been considered as springboards that potentiate lineage diversification through increasing functional redundancy. Divergence in gene regulatory elements is a central mechanism for evolutionary diversification, yet the patterns and processes governing regulatory divergence following events that lead to massive functional redundancy, such as WGD, remain largely unknown. We studied the patterns of divergence and strength of natural selection on regulatory elements in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) genome, which has undergone WGD 100–80 Ma. Using ChIPmentation, we first show that H3K27ac, a histone modification typical to enhancers and promoters, is associated with genic regions, tissue-specific transcription factor binding motifs, and with gene transcription levels in immature testes. Divergence in transcription between duplicated genes from WGD (ohnologs) correlated with difference in the number of proximal regulatory elements, but not with promoter elements, suggesting that functional divergence between ohnologs after WGD is mainly driven by enhancers. By comparing H3K27ac regions between duplicated genome blocks, we further show that a longer polyploid state post-WGD has constrained regulatory divergence. Patterns of genetic diversity across natural populations inferred from resequencing indicate that recent evolutionary pressures on H3K27ac regions are dominated by largely neutral evolution. In sum, our results suggest that post-WGD functional redundancy in regulatory elements continues to have an impact on the evolution of the salmon genome, promoting largely neutral evolution of regulatory elements despite their association with transcription levels. These results highlight a case where genome-wide regulatory evolution following an ancient WGD is dominated by genetic drift.
“At Least We Could Give Our Input”: Underrepresented Student Narratives on Conventional and Guided Inquiry-Based Laboratory Approaches
Authors: Hernandez Tess , Donnelly-Hermosillo Dermot F , Person Eric , Hansen Alexandria K 
Published: March 2021

Synopsis
Policy documents continually stress the need to develop a scientifically literate and diverse workforce. One commonly recommended way to achieve these goals is through the redesign of introductory level science courses to foster students’ interest in science. Such redesigns take advantage of a myriad of evidence-based strategies such as inquiry and context-based approaches that place students at the center of learning. In this study, we report on interviews of 10 female students participating in a zoo-context guided-inquiry laboratory structure within an introductory chemistry course. Half of these students were taking the laboratory for the first time (first-experience, n = 5), and half were taking the laboratory a second time (second-experience; n = 5), having failed the course in a conventional format a previous semester. The conventional laboratory format was designed to reinforce lecture content with prescriptive-style laboratories while the zoo-based guided-inquiry laboratory structure was focused on supporting student-designed investigations tied to zoo exhibits. Using interviews, we sought to understand students’ experiences and how such experiences could inform future laboratory iterations. Through inductive thematic analysis, we found three themes describing student experiences in both laboratory environments—classroom relationships, relevancy of the work, and ownership of the experiments. This work describes the nuances across student perspectives of laboratory approaches and the implications of these findings for iterations to laboratory structures toward greater student science interest, both for conventional and guided-inquiry approaches.
Host Genetic Risk Factors for Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women
Authors: Zheng Xiaojing , Zhong Wujuan , O’Connell Catherine M , Liu Yutong , Haggerty Catherine L , Geisler William M , Anyalechi Gloria E , Kirkcaldy Robert D , Wiesenfeld Harold C , Hillier Sharon L , Steinkampf Michael P , Hammond Karen R , Fine Jason , Li Yun , Darville Toni 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection ascending to the upper genital tract can cause infertility. Direct association of genetic variants as contributors is challenging because infertility may not be diagnosed until years after infection. Investigating the intermediate trait of ascension bridges this gap.

Methods
We identified infertility genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci using deoxyribonucleic acid from Ct-seropositive cisgender women in a tubal factor infertility study and Ct-infected cisgender women from a longitudinal pelvic inflammatory disease cohort with known fertility status. Deoxyribonucleic acid and blood messenger ribonucleic acid from 2 additional female cohorts with active Ct infection and known endometrial infection status were used to investigate the impact of infertility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on Ct ascension. A statistical mediation test examined whether multiple infertility SNPs jointly influenced ascension risk by modulating expression of mediator genes.

Results
We identified 112 candidate infertility GWAS loci, and 31 associated with Ct ascension. The SNPs altered chlamydial ascension by modulating expression of 40 mediator genes. Mediator genes identified are involved in innate immune responses including type I interferon production, T-cell function, fibrosis, female reproductive tract health, and protein synthesis and degradation.

Conclusions
We identified Ct-related infertility loci and their potential functional effects on Ct ascension.
Designing and evaluating contextualized drug–drug interaction algorithms
Authors: Chou Eric , Boyce Richard D , Balkan Baran , Subbian Vignesh , Romero Andrew , Hansten Philip D , Horn John R , Gephart Sheila , Malone Daniel C 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objective
Alert fatigue is a common issue with off-the-shelf clinical decision support. Most warnings for drug–drug interactions (DDIs) are overridden or ignored, likely because they lack relevance to the patient’s clinical situation. Existing alerting systems for DDIs are often simplistic in nature or do not take the specific patient context into consideration, leading to overly sensitive alerts. The objective of this study is to develop, validate, and test DDI alert algorithms that take advantage of patient context available in electronic health records (EHRs) data.

Methods
Data on the rate at which DDI alerts were triggered but for which no action was taken over a 3-month period (override rates) from a single tertiary care facility were used to identify DDIs that were considered a high-priority for contextualized alerting. A panel of DDI experts developed algorithms that incorporate drug and patient characteristics that affect the relevance of such warnings. The algorithms were then implemented as computable artifacts, validated using a synthetic health records data, and tested over retrospective data from a single urban hospital.

Results
Algorithms and computable knowledge artifacts were developed and validated for a total of 8 high priority DDIs. Testing on retrospective real-world data showed the potential for the algorithms to reduce alerts that interrupt clinician workflow by more than 50%. Two algorithms (citalopram/QT interval prolonging agents, and fluconazole/opioid) showed potential to filter nearly all interruptive alerts for these combinations.

Conclusion
The 8 DDI algorithms are a step toward addressing a critical need for DDI alerts that are more specific to patient context than current commercial alerting systems. Data commonly available in EHRs can improve DDI alert specificity.