bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil-to-Apolipoprotein A1 Ratio Predicted Overall Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Transarterial Chemoembolization
Authors: Chen Jie , Chen Yong-Jian , Jiang Nan , Xu Jian-Liang , Liang Zi-Ming , Bai Ming-Jun , Xing Yan-Fang , Liu Zhuo , Wu Xiang-Yuan , Li Xing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive capability of neutrophil-to-apolipoprotein A1 ratio (NAR) for predicting overall survival (OS) among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).Patients and MethodsWe investigated the clinical features of 554 patients with HCC receiving TACE and assessed NAR's predictive value for OS with 222 patients (the discovery cohort) and 332 patients (the validation cohort). The association of NAR with circulation lectin-type oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1–positive (LOX-1+) polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) was illustrated.ResultsMultivariate Cox regression revealed that lymphocyte count; Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) stage; and NAR were independent prognostic factors in the discovery cohort. The validation cohort confirmed the independent prognostic value of TNM stage and NAR. Patients with low NAR (&lt;2.7) displayed significantly increased OS in the discovery cohort (59.8 months vs. 21 months), the validation group (38.0 months vs. 23.6 months), and the total cohort (44.1 months vs. 22.0 months). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to combine Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score with discretized NAR. C-index illustrated that NAR-integrated CLIP score was the best model compared with NAR and CLIP score. Furthermore, NAR-CLIP presented superior predictive capacity for 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, and 60-month survival compared with CLIP score by survival receiver-operator characteristic analysis in the discovery cohort, validation cohort, and total cohort. NAR was significantly associated with LOX-1+ PMN-MDSCs by linear regression.ConclusionThis study identified NAR as an independent predictor for OS among patients with HCC receiving TACE. NAR reflected circulation LOX-1+ PMN-MDSC level.Implications for PracticeThe present study identified neutrophil-to-apolipoprotein A1 ratio (NAR) as an independent predictor for overall survival among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving transarterial chemoembolization. NAR reflected circulation level of lectin-type oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1–positive polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells.
Impact of cellulose nanocrystals reinforcement on molecular dynamics and dielectric properties of PCL‐based polyurethane
Authors: Ouled Ltaief Anwar , Ghorbel Nouha , Benhamou Karima , Arous Mourad , Kaddami Hamid , Kallel Ali 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe thermal and dielectric properties of polymer nanocomposites based on polycaprolactone diol‐based PU matrix filled with various weight fractions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) (from 0 to 10 wt%) extracted from the rachis of date palm tree were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The emphasis was on clarifying the impact of the addition of CNC nanofillers on the molecular mobility of the PU matrix. Different dielectric relaxations have been found and the corresponding activation energies have been calculated, by means of the Havriliak–Negami model after fitting the dielectric data. The outcomes were explored in terms of molecular dynamics and interfacial processes. With 2.5 wt% of CNC, the strongest adhesion between matrix and reinforcement was acquired. This research was supported by the use of DSC for thermal properties.
Exploring the structure and dynamics of proteins in soil organic matter
Authors: Gotsmy Mathias , Escalona Yerko , Oostenbrink Chris , Petrov Drazen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAlongside inorganic materials, water, and air, soil organic matter (SOM) is one of the major components of soil and has tremendous influence on the environment given its vital role in the carbon cycle. Many soil dwelling organisms like plants, fungi and bacteria excrete proteins, whose interaction with SOM is poorly understood on an atomistic level. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate selected proteins in soil models of different complexity from simple co‐solvent molecules to Leonardite humic acids (LHA). We analyzed the proteins in terms of their structural stability, the nature and strength of the interactions with their surroundings, as well as their aggregation behavior. Upon insertion of proteins in complex SOM models, their structural stability decreased, although no unfolding or disruption of secondary structure was observed. The interactions of proteins and SOM were primarily governed by electrostatic forces, often in form of hydrogen bonds. However, also weaker van der Waals forces made a significant contribution to the total interaction energies. Moreover, we showed that even though the molecular structure and size of SOM molecules varied, the functional groups of SOM ordered around the protein in a similar pattern. Finally, the number of aggregates formed by proteins and SOM molecules was shown to be primarily proportional to the size of the latter. Strikingly, for varying protein net charges no changes in the formation of aggregates with the strongly negatively charged LHA were observed.
High Thermal Effusivity Nanocarbon Materials for Resonant Thermal Energy Harvesting
Authors: Zhang Ge , Koman Volodymyr B. , Shikdar Tafsia , Oliver Ronald J. , Perez‐Lodeiro Natalia , Strano Michael S. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCarbon nanomaterials have extraordinary thermal properties, such as high conductivity and stability. Nanocarbon combined with phase change materials (PCMs) can yield exceptionally high thermal effusivity composites optimal for thermal energy harvesting. The progress in synthesis and processing of high effusivity materials, and their application in resonant energy harvesting from temperature variations is reviewed.
Functional recovery after macula involving retinal detachment and its correlation with preoperative biomarkers in optical coherence tomography
Authors: Klaas Julian E. , Rechl Philip , Feucht Nikolaus , Siedlecki Jakob , Friedrich Julia , Lohmann Chris P. , Maier Mathias 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo introduce an ETDRS grid-based classification for macula involving retinal detachment (MIRD) with or without center (foveal) involvement and to identify biomarkers in preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) associated with a favorable postoperative functional outcome in eyes with center involving retinal detachment (CIRD). One hundred and two eyes of 102 consecutive patients (f/m: 35/67) with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, preoperative evidence of MIRD (perifoveal involvement of ≤ 6.0 mm), and successful retinal surgery were included in this retrospective cohort study. Eyes were assigned to 5 grades of MIRD (G1–G5), based on the extent of detachment in the ETDRS grid. Eyes with a detached foveal status (CIRD) were assigned to G4 or G5. In CIRD, the following OCT biomarkers were quantified and correlated with mean BCVA (logMAR) at 3 months postsurgery, using univariate and multivariable regression models: grade of detachment, extent of intraretinal edema, height of foveal detachment, subretinal folds, and epiretinal membrane. Forty-one of 102 eyes (40.2%) presented with an attached foveal status, defined as either outer (G1: 11.8%) or inner (G2: 18.6%) macular involvement or fovea-threatening MIRD (G3: 9.8%). Sixty-one eyes (59.8%) showed CIRD (G4 or G5). Eyes with CIRD had significantly worse postoperative BCVA than eyes without foveal involvement (0.355 logMAR vs. 0.138 logMAR, p<0.001). If CIRD was limited to three outer ETDRS quadrants (G4), mean BCVA was better compared to CIRD involving all four ETDRS quadrants (G5) (0.254 logMAR vs. 0.522 logMAR, p<0.001). Reading ability (BCVA ≤ 0.4 logMAR) was restored in 97.6% of eyes with G1–G3 compared to 86.9% of eyes with G4 (p=0.072) and 52.4% of eyes with G5 (p<0.001). In multivariable regression analysis of eyes with CIRD, a lower grade of detachment (G4 vs. G5: p<0.05) and lower extent of cystoid edema (focal/none vs. wide: p<0.001) were both associated with better postoperative function. The functional outcome after MIRD may be worse in the presence of foveal involvement (CIRD), but a lower grade of detachment and the absence of intraretinal edema can predict a good recovery in spite of CIRD.
Long-term comparative analysis of no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) status between multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab and fingolimod for up to 4 years
Authors: Guerra Tommaso , Caputo Francesca , Orlando Bianca , Paolicelli Damiano , Trojano Maria , Iaffaldano Pietro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Comparative effectiveness of natalizumab and fingolimod over a follow-up longer than 2 years has been not addressed yet.

Objectives
To compare the effect on no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with natalizumab or fingolimod for at least 4 years.

Methods
We included RRMS patients switched from first-line agents to natalizumab or fingolimod. Patients were propensity score (PS)-matched on a 1-to-1 basis. Percentages of patients reaching NEDA-3 status at 2 and 4 years of follow-up were compared using the chi-square test. The risk of not achieving NEDA-3 at 4 years was explored in matched samples by Cox regression models.

Results
We evaluated 174 PS-matched patients. Patients receiving natalizumab reached a NEDA-3 status at 2 and 4 years more frequently than those exposed to fingolimod (63% vs 44%, p=0.037; 45.7% vs 25.8%, p=0.015, respectively). Patients receiving natalizumab were at a significant lower risk of not achieving the NEDA-3 status at 4 years compared to those exposed to fingolimod (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.54 (0.36–0.80), p=0.002).

Conclusions
Although both medications were effective in patients non-responding to first-line agents, natalizumab seems to be superior to fingolimod in RRMS in obtaining NEDA-3 status at 4 years.
Assessing the practical implementation of the EU’s values in EU–China dialogues
Authors: Taylor Max Roger 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLiterature debating the role of the EU’s values in its external relations has neglected to adequately define and empirically explore the practical promotion or mainstreaming of these aspects in diplomatic dialogues with third countries, at the micro-level. Departing from an often abstract focus by scholars on policy outcomes at the macro-level, a concentration on micro-level processes enables an explanation of how value mainstreaming is actually taking place and the elements informing this. It encompasses the role of individual EU officials, the mechanisms guiding their activities, and the impact of interlocutors from third countries. Addressing this gap, this paper defines EU value mainstreaming and conducts a discourse analysis of a comprehensive sample of interviews with EU officials operationalising EU–China dialogues, arguably the hardest test case. It is found that value mainstreaming is rarely taking place in practice due to a nuanced combination of factors. These include EU officials’ perceived lack of responsibility for undertaking such activities, anticipated obstruction by Chinese interlocutors, and counterproductive mainstreaming approaches.
LncRNA TRHDE-AS1 inhibit the scar fibroblasts proliferation via miR-181a-5p/PTEN axis
Authors: Wei Yanping , Wang Tingting , Zhang Ningning , Ma Yunyun , Shi Siji , Zhang Ruxing , Zheng Xianzhao , Zhao Lindong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHypertrophic scar (HS), a fibroproliferative disorder caused by abnormal wound healing after skin injury, which is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and invasive growth of fibroblasts. Recent studies have shown that some non-coding RNA implicated the formation of HS, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that lncRNA TRHDE-AS1 was downregulated in HS tissues and HSFs, and the level of lncRNA TRHDE-AS1 negatively correlated with the level of miR-181a-5p in HS tissue and HSFs. Overexpressed lncRNA TRHDE-AS1 significantly suppressed miR-181a-5p level, while promoted HSFs apoptosis and inhibited HSFs proliferation. Further study shown that PTEN was a direct target of miR-181a-5p, and lncRNA TRHDE-AS1 served as a molecular sponge for miR-181a-5p to regulate the expression of PTEN. Overexpression of PTEN could eliminate lncRNA TRHDE-AS1-mediated proliferation suppression of HSFs. In conclusion, our study suggested that lncRNA TRHDE-AS1/miR-181a-5p/PTEN axis plays an important role in promoting hypertrophic scar formation, which may be effectively used as a therapeutic target for hypertrophic scar treatment.
The Messiness of Ethics in Education
Authors: Cliffe Johanna , Solvason Carla 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article considers the multifaceted concept of ethics and how, despite being a familiar notion within education, it is still much contested within literature and professional practice. Drawing on postmodern, feminist and political literature, the authors explore (re)conceptualisations of ethics and ethicality in relation to ethical identity, professionalism and practice. Applying philosophical and metaphorical tools, such as the rhizome and nomad (Deleuze and Guattari, 1987), the authors suggest there is the potential to accommodate the multiple and often divergent facets of ethics, thereby engaging with different ethical possibilities. It is argued that the propensity for reducing ethics to merely procedural protocols and guidelines marginalises the richness of ethics and, all too frequently, leaves practitioners ill-equipped to navigate the reality of day-to-day ethics.The article is positioned within the field of early years (EY) practice and training EY practitioners. This reflects the authors’ own specialism but also celebrates the propensity of the EY practitioner to reflect upon, question and challenge their own practice and ethical identities. This does not reduce the applicability of the subject matter which is relevant to educators of children of any age. The term ‘practitioner’ is used throughout to refer to any adult working with children in an educative role, this includes, but is not limited to nursery nurses, teachers or teaching assistants.
Psychological Analysis of Religiosity and Spirituality: Construction of the Scale of Abandonment by God (SAG)
Authors: Głaz Stanisław 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe issue of religiosity and spirituality and their measurement are quite well developed fields in the psychology of religion. However, the literature shows a lack of research tools to measure the religious experience of the feeling of abandonment by God among followers of the Catholic religion. The purpose of this article is to fulfill this gap through the presentation of the notion of ‘God abandonment’, and its operationalization, by constructing the Scale of Abandonment by God: SAG (Skala Opuszczenia Przez Boga—SOPB). The psychometric value of the tool was evaluated, that is the reliability and validity. In order to achieve this goal, three stages of instrument development (item generation, scale development, and instrument testing) were undertaken in three studies. Stage 1: The pilot study concerned the development of positive statements about the concept of the Catholic experience of God (i.e., the subjective feeling of the experience of God's abandonment in the life of a contemporary person, as well as showing to what extent this belief can affect some aspects of his/her life). Stage 2: Was designed to perform exploratory factor analysis and test–retest reliability to assess stability of the SAG in a three-week time range. Stage 3: Validation of the SAG by Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed. Result: The SAG can be recognized as a one-factor measure of the feeling of abandonment by God. Because the content of the SAG items indicate the positive aspects of the abandonment of God, this can assist people living in Catholic societies.
The Free Energy of a Quantum Sherrington–Kirkpatrick Spin-Glass Model for Weak Disorder
Authors: Leschke Hajo , Rothlauf Sebastian , Ruder Rainer , Spitzer Wolfgang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe extend two rigorous results of Aizenman, Lebowitz, and Ruelle in their pioneering paper of 1987 on the Sherrington–Kirkpatrick spin-glass model without external magnetic field to the quantum case with a “transverse field” of strength $$\mathsf {b}$$
b
. More precisely, if the Gaussian disorder is weak in the sense that its standard deviation $$\mathsf {v}>0$$

v
>
0

is smaller than the temperature $$1/\beta $$

1
/
β

, then the (random) free energy almost surely equals the annealed free energy in the macroscopic limit and there is no spin-glass phase for any $$\mathsf {b}/\mathsf {v}\ge 0$$

b
/
v
≥
0

. The macroscopic annealed free energy turns out to be non-trivial and given, for any $$\beta \mathsf {v}>0$$

β
v
>
0

, by the global minimum of a certain functional of square-integrable functions on the unit square according to a Varadhan large-deviation principle. For $$\beta \mathsf {v}<1$$

β
v
<
1

we determine this minimum up to the order $$(\beta \mathsf {v})^{4}$$

(
β
v
)

4

with the Taylor coefficients explicitly given as functions of $$\beta \mathsf {b}$$

β
b

and with a remainder not exceeding $$(\beta \mathsf {v})^{6}/16$$

(
β
v
)

6

/
16

. As a by-product we prove that the so-called static approximation to the minimization problem yields the wrong $$\beta \mathsf {b}$$

β
b

-dependence even to lowest order. Our main tool for dealing with the non-commutativity of the spin-operator components is a probabilistic representation of the Boltzmann–Gibbs operator by a Feynman–Kac (path-integral) formula based on an independent collection of Poisson processes in the positive half-line with common rate $$\beta \mathsf {b}$$

β
b

. Its essence dates back to Kac in 1956, but the formula was published only in 1989 by Gaveau and Schulman.
Distribution and bioavailability of mercury in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Kwasigroch Urszula , Bełdowska Magdalena , Jędruch Agnieszka , Łukawska-Matuszewska Katarzyna 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe study aimed to determine the level of mercury (Hg) and its labile and stable forms in the surface sediments of the Baltic Sea. The work considers the impact of current and historical sources of Hg on sediment pollution, together with the influence of different environmental parameters, including water inflows from the North Sea. Surface sediments (top 5 cm) were collected in 2016–2017 at 91 stations located in different areas of the Baltic Sea, including Belt Sea, Arkona Basin, Bornholm Basin, Gdańsk Basin, West Gotland Basin, East Gotland Basin, and the Bothnian Sea. Besides, the particulate matter suspended in the surface and near-bottom water was also collected. The analysis of total Hg concentration and individual Hg forms in collected samples was carried out using a 5-step thermodesorption method. This method allows for the identification of three labile and thus biologically available, fractions of Hg, which are mercury halides, organic Hg, mercury oxide and sulphate. Two stable fractions, mercury sulphide and residual Hg, were also determined. The highest Hg concentrations, reaching 341 ng g−1, were measured in the highly industrialised Kiel Bay, which was additionally a munition dumping site during and after World War II. High Hg level, ranging from 228 to 255 ng g−1, was also recorded in the surface sediments of the Arkona Basin, which was a result of the cumulative effect of several factors, such as deposition of Hg-rich riverine matter, favourable hydrodynamic conditions and military activities in the past. The relatively elevated Hg concentrations, varying from 60 to 264 ng g−1, were found in the Gdańsk Basin, a region under strong anthropopressure and dominated by soft sediments. The sum of labile Hg in sediments was high and averaged 67% (with the domination of organic Hg compounds), which means that a large part of Hg can be released to the water column. It was found that the water inflows from the North Sea intensify the remobilisation of Hg and its transformation into bioavailable labile forms. As a consequence, the load of Hg introduced into the trophic chain can increase. Despite the significant reduction of Hg emission into the Baltic in the last decades, surface sediments can be an important secondary Hg source in the marine ecosystem. This is especially dangerous in the case of the western Baltic Sea.
Investigation of potential safety hazards during medical waste disposal in SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratory
Authors: Lv Jun , Yang Jin , Xue Juan , Zhu Ping , Liu Lanfang , Li Shan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the potential safety hazards and provide reference for improving the medical waste disposal procedure in SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratory. Our SARS-CoV-2 testing group detected the RNA residue on the surface of medical waste with Droplet Digital PCR, and held a meeting to discuss the risks in the laboratory medical waste disposal process. After effective autoclaving, SARS-CoV-2 contaminated on the surface of medical waste bags was killed, but the average concentration of viral RNA residues was still 0.85 copies/cm2. It would not pose a health risk, but might contaminate the laboratory and affect the test results. When the sterilized medical waste bags were transferred directly by the operators without hand disinfection, re-contamination would happen, which might cause the virus to leak out of the laboratory. Furthermore, we found that sterilization effect monitoring and cooperation among operators were also very important. In summary, we investigated and analyzed the potential safety hazards during the medical waste disposal process in SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratory, and provided reasonable suggestions to ensure the safety of medical waste disposal.
The Interface Zone of Explosively Welded Titanium/Steel after Short-Term Heat Treatment
Authors: Szmul Marcin , Stan-Glowinska Katarzyna , Janusz-Skuza Marta , Bigos Agnieszka , Chudzio Andrzej , Szulc Zygmunt , Wojewoda-Budka Joanna 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This work presents a detailed description of a bonding zone of explosively welded Ti/steel clads subjected to stress relief annealing, applied in order to improve the plasticity of the final product. The typical joint formed by the welding process possesses a characteristic wavy interface with melted regions observed mainly at the crest regions of waves. The interface of Ti/steel clads before and after annealing was previously investigated mostly in respect to the melted regions. Here, a sharp interface between the waves was analyzed in detail. The obtained results indicate that the microstructure of a transition zone of that area is different along the width. After the heat treatment at 600 °C for 1.5 hours, titanium carbide (TiC) together with α-Fe phase forms at the interface in local areas of relatively wide interlayer (~ 1 µm), while for most of the sharp interface, a much thinner zone up to about 400 nm, formed by four sublayers containing intermetallic phase and carbides, is present. This confirms that carbon diffusion induced by applied heat treatment significantly influences the final microstructure of the Ti/steel interface zone. Side bending tests confirmed high plasticity of welds after applied heat treatment; however, the microhardness measurements indicated that the strengthening of the steel in the vicinity of the interface had not been removed completely.