bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Maize-Legume Intercropping Shifts Structure and Composition of Soil Microbiome with Potential Impacts on Ecosystem Services and Food Safety
Authors: Mwakilili Aneth , Mwaikono Kilaza Samson , Herrera Sebastian Larsson , Midega Charles , Magingo Francis , Alsanius Beatrix , Dekker Teun , Lyantagaye Sylvester Leonard 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Push-pull is an intercropping technology that rapidly spreads among Sub-Saharan smallholder farmers. It intercrops maize with Desmodium to fight off stem borers, eliminate parasitic weeds, and improve soil fertility and yields. The above-ground components of push-pull cropping have been well investigated. However, impact on and from the soil microbiome and its role in diverse ecosystem benefits are unknown. Here we describe the soil microbiome associated with push-pull and compare it with maize monoculture.Methods: Soil samples from long-term maize-desmodium intercropping and maize monoculture plots were analysed using 16S and ITS metagenomics.Results: Maize-desmodium intercropping caused a strong divergence in fungal microbiome, which was more diverse and species rich than monoculture plots. Zooming into genera revealed that intercropping enhanced fungal genera linked to important ecosystem services. These include mycorrhizal and endophytic groups such as Edenia, Acrocalyma and Colletotrichum, saprophytic and decomposer fungi like Pithya and Cristinia and fungi with biocontrol properties, for instance, Talaromyces, Penicillin, Clonostachys and Trichoderma. Fungal genera enriched in monoculture plots were few, and were functionally linked to plant diseases (for example Didymella, Curvularia and Parastagonospora), and human pathogenic taxa (Exserohilum, Curvularia and Aspergillus). Although separating well, bacterial microbiomes did not, except in a few genera, differ between treatments. Conclusion: Maize-desmodium intercropping diversifies fungal microbiomes and favors taxa that are associated with important ecosystem services, including plant health, productivity and food safety. Further studies should increase the resolution of shifts noted above, experimentally ascertain the inferred functions, and translate this knowledge to improve cropping systems.
Feasibility of nanoscale zero-valent iron loaded sediment-based biochar (nZVI-SBC) for simultaneous removal of nitrate and phosphate: high selectivity towards dinitrogen and synergistic mechanism
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Wei Jia , Hou Liangang , Zhu Yuhan , Wu Yaodong , Xing Luyi , Zhang Yifei , Li Jun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the process of water treatment, excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants are of great concern. Therefore, we prepared nanoscale zero-valent iron loaded on sediment-based biochar (nZVI-SBC) to conduct nitrate and phosphate removal at the same time. The characterization demonstrated that nZVI-SBC was successfully synthesized, which had obvious advantages for larger specific surface area and better dispersion compared with pure nZVI. The batch experiments indicated that the best loading ratio of nZVI to SBC and optimum dosage for nitrate and phosphate were 1:1and 2 g·L-1, respectively. Their removal by nZVI-SBC was an acid-driven process. Anoxic environment was more conducive to the reduction of nitrate while the phosphate removal was fond of oxygen environment. 77.78% of nitrate and 99.21% of phosphate have been successfully removed, mainly depending on reduction and complexation mechanism, respectively. Moreover, nZVI-SBC had higher N2 selectivity and produced less ammonium than nZVI. The interaction between nitrate and phosphate was studied to manifest that they had different degrees of inhibition during the removal of the other. Our research indicated that nZVI-SBC has great potential for remediation of nitrogen and phosphorus polluted water.
Neuroanatomical and Functional Substrates of the Greed Personality Trait
Authors: WANG QIANG , Wei Shiyu , Lm Hohjin , Zhang Manman , Wang Pinchun , Zhu Yuxuan , Wang Yajie , Bai Xuejun , Im Hohjin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Greedy individuals often exhibit more impulsive decision-making and shortsighted behaviors. It has been assumed that altered reward circuitry and prospection network is associated with greed personality trait (GPT). In this study, we first explored the morphological characteristics (i.e., gray matter volume; GMV) of GPT combined with univariate and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) approach. Secondly, we adopted a revised version of intertemporal choice task and independently manipulated the amount and delay time of future rewards. Using brain-imaging design, reward- and prospection-related brain activations were assessed and their associations with GPT were further examined. The MVPA results showed that GPT could be successfully predicted by the GMVs in the right lateral frontal pole cortex, left ventromedial prefrontal cortex, right lateral occipital cortex, and right occipital pole. Additionally, we observed that the amount-relevant brain activations (responding to reward circuitry) in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex were negatively associated with individual’s variability in GPT scores, whereas the delay time-relevant brain activations (responding to prospection network system) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, superior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex were positively associated with individual’s variability in GPT scores. These findings not only provide novel insights into the neuroanatomical substrates underlying the human dispositional greed, but also suggest the critical roles of reward and prospection processing on the greed.
Single Phase Cool White Light Emitting Novel Ca9Al(PO4)7: Dy3+ Nanophosphor under NUV excitation
Authors: Dahiya Manju , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A series of novel single-phase white light-emitting Dy3+ doped Ca9Al(PO4)7 nanophosphors was successfully synthesized at 1100 ˚C via solution combustion route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement analysis of Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 sample confirmed that this phosphor had a trigonal crystal structure with space group R3c(161). Meanwhile, as-observed from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study; particles of Ca9DyxAl(1−x)(PO4)7 samples were found to have a quadrilateral shape with crystallite sizes around 40–60 nm which were also confirmed by the Debye Scherrer equation. Under near-ultraviolet (NUV) excitation at 350 nm, photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of nanocrystalline Ca9Al(PO4)7: Dy3+ phosphors showed two peaks at 481 nm and 572 nm corresponding to 4F9/2→6H15/2 and 4F9/2→6H13/2 transitions, respectively. The optimum concentration was found to be x = 0.03 mol. The critical energy transfer distance was calculated to be 20 and further Huang analysis concluded the exact mechanism i.e. dipole-dipole interactions responsible for concentration quenching in Ca9DyxAl(1−x)(PO4)7 samples. Furthermore, the Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 nanophosphor was calculated to be (0.260, 0.297) and this nanophosphor had correlated color temperature (CCT) of 11332 K which is located in a cool white area. Existing results indicate that Ca9Dy0.03Al0.97(PO4)7 nanophosphor may be considered as a favorable candidate in NUV based single-phase cool White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs).
Event-triggered model predictive control of positive systems with random actuator saturation
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Zhang Suhuan , Lin Peng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates the event-triggered model predictive control of positive systems with actuator saturation. Interval and polytopic uncertainties are imposed on the systems, respectively. First, a new model with actuator saturation obeying Bernoulli distribution is established, which is more general and powerful for describing the saturation phenomenon than the saturation in a certain way. Then, a linear event-triggering condition is constructed based on the state and error signal. An interval estimate approach is presented to reach the positivity and stability of the systems. The saturation part in the controller is technically transformed into a non-saturation part. Thus, a linear programming approach is proposed to compute the event-triggered controller gain and the corresponding domain of attraction gain. A predictive algorithm is introduced for the computation of the event-triggered controller parameters. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the validity of the design.
Model Difference in the Effect of Cilostazol on the Development of Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Ito Toshikazu , Zhang Erquan , Omori Ayaka , Kabwe Jane , Kawai Masako , Maruyama Junko , Okada Amphone , Yokochi Ayumu , Sawada Hirofumi , Mitani Yoshihide , Maruyama Kazuo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Preventing pulmonary vascular remodeling is a key strategy for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Causes of PH include pulmonary vasoconstriction and inflammation. This study aimed to determine whether cilostazol (CLZ), a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, prevents monocrotaline (MCT)- and chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced PH development in rats.Methods: Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed rat chow with (0.3% CLZ) or without CLZ for 21 days after a single injection of MCT (60 mg/kg) or saline. Forty-eight rats were fed rat chow with and without CLZ for 14 days under ambient or hypobaric (air at 380 mmHg) CH exposure. Mean PAP (mPAP), the right ventricle weight-to-left ventricle+septum weight ratio (RV/LV+S), percentages of muscularized peripheral pulmonary arteries (%Muscularization) and medial wall thickness of small muscular arteries (%MWT) were assessed.Protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (peNOS), AKT, pAKT and IκB in lung tissue was measured by Western blotting. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 mRNA in lung tissue was also assessed.Results: mPAP [35.1±1.7 mmHg (MCT) (n=9) vs.16.6±0.7 (control) (n=9) (p<0.05); 29.1±1.5 mmHg (CH) (n=10) vs. 17.5±0.5 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05)], RV/LV+S [0.40±0.01 (MCT) (n=18) vs. 0.24±0.01 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05); 0.41±0.03 (CH) (n=13) vs. 0.27±0.06 (control) (n=10) (p<0.05)], and %Muscularization and %MWT were increased by MCT injection and CH exposure. CLZ significantly attenuated these changes in the MCT model [mPAP 25.1±1.1 mmHg (n=11) (p<0.05), RV/LV+S 0.30±0.01 (n=14) (p<0.05)]. In contrast, these CLZ effects were not observed in the CH model. Lung eNOS protein expression was unchanged in the MCT model and high in the CH model. Lung protein expression of AKT, phosphorylated AKT, and IκB was downregulated by MCT, which was attenuated by CLZ; the CH model did not change these proteins. Lung MCP-1 mRNA levels were increased in MCT rats but not CH rats.Conclusion: We found model differences in the effect of CLZ on PH development. CLZ might have a preventable effect on PH development in an inflammatory PH model but not in a vascular structural change model of PH preceded by vasoconstriction. Thus, the preventive effect of CLZ on PH development might be dependent on PH etiology.
Impact of gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes: A retrospective cohort study.
Authors: Hassan Mahmoud F. , Rund Nancy Mohamed Ali , Yehia Amr Helmy , Alghanimi Salha A. , Abdallah Enas A.A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We aim to explore the association between gestational weight gain and adverse events during pregnancy. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the perinatal outcomes in singleton women whose weight gain during pregnancy was below, within, or above the 2009 Institute of Medicine's (IOM) guidelines, and delivered between 24 and 42 weeks’ gestation. GWG was derived using weight at delivery minus the pre-pregnancy or first trimester weight. Our results indicated that mothers with low GWG had increased odds of having small-for-gestational-age neonates (adjusted OR 1.202; 95% CI 1.031-1.403), and preterm birth (adjusted OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.769-2.439), but decreased odds of having macrosomia (adjusted OR 0.523; 95% CI 0.24-0.991). Meanwhile, mothers with GWG above the IOM recommendations had higher odds of having hypertensive disease of pregnancy (adjusted OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.314-3.535), gestational diabetes (adjusted OR 1.227; 95% CI 1.038-1.448), cesarean section (adjusted OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.279-1.512), induced labor (adjusted OR 1. 219; 95% CI 1.051-1.409), failure of induced labor (adjusted OR 1.432; 95% CI 1.03-1.992), macrosomia (adjusted OR 1.987; 95% CI 1.384-2.725), and shoulder dystocia (adjusted OR 1.715; 95% CI 1.292-2.18. In conclusion, GWG is an important predictor of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes during pregnancy.
Seeking research questions from implementers: considerations for leveraging ground actors research needs in the fight against malaria in West Africa
Authors: Amouh Tete Sitou , Ekoye Saidou Malam , Ahanhanzo Césaire Damien , Guiguemdé Tinga Robert , Sombié Issiaka 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo strengthen the fight against malaria, it is imperative to identify weaknesses and possible solutions in order to improve programmes implementation. This study reports experiences gained from collaboration between decision-makers and researchers from a World Bank project (Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Sahel, SM/NTD). The objectives of this paper were to identify bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation as well as related research questions they bring up. MethodsQuestionnaire addressed to National Malaria Control Programme managers and prioritization workshops were used as a medium to identify research questions. The bottlenecks in malaria programme implementation were identified in seven thematic areas namely governance, human resources, drugs, service provision, use of prevention methods, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and public support or buy-in. The first five priority questions were: (1) compliance with drug doses on the second and third days during the seasonal chemoprevention (SMC) campaigns, (2) the contribution of community-based distributors to the management of severe cases of malaria in children under 5 years, (3) the SMC efficacy, (4) artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) tolerance and efficacy according to existing guidelines, and (5) the quality of malaria control at all levels of the health system. Results and ConclusionThis work showed the effectiveness of collaboration between implementers, programmes managers, and researchers in identifying research questions. The responses to these identified research questions of this study may contribute to improving the implementation of malaria control programmes across African countries.
Absence of gut microbiota affects lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice
Authors: Chen Jian-Jun , Xie Jing , Zeng Ben-hua , Li Wen-wen , Bai Shun-jie , Zhou Chanjun , Chen Wei , Wei Hong , Xie Peng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objectives: Lipid metabolism is closely associated with many important biological functions. Here, we conducted this study to explore the effects of gut microbiota on the lipid metabolism in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Methods: Germ-free (GF) mice, specific pathogen-free (SPF) and colonized GF (CGF) mice were used in this study. The open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST) and novelty suppressed feeding test (NSFT) were conducted to assess the changes in general behavioral activity. The liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to obtain the lipid metabolites. Both one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to obtain the key differential lipid metabolites.Results: The behavioral tests showed that compared to SPF mice, GF mice had more center distance, more center time, less immobility time and less latency to familiar food. Meanwhile, 142 key differential lipid metabolites between SPF mice and GF mice were identified. These lipid metabolites mainly belonged to glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, sphingolipids, and saccharolipids. The gut microbiota colonization did not reverse these changed behavioral phenotypes, but could restore 25 key differential lipid metabolites.Discussion: These results showed that the absence of gut microbiota could influence host behaviors and lipid metabolism. Our findings could provide original and valuable data for future studies to further investigate the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
Numerical study on effects of chamber design and multi-inlet on storm geyser
Authors: Liu Jiachun , Zhang Shuangqing , Huang Biao , Zhu David Z. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Storm geysers increasingly occur in sewer systems under climate change and rapid urbanization. Mitigation measures are in great demand to avoid safety problems. In this study, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models of single-inlet and multi-inlet systems were established to investigate geysering induced by rapid filling and assess the effectiveness of potential mitigation methods. The modeling results suggest that increasing the capacity of the downstream pipe before the inflow front reaches the chamber can effectively reduce the maximum geyser pressure. The peak pressure can be significantly mitigated when the chamber size is designed with care and the drop height between the upstream and downstream pipes is reduced. A diversion deflector with air vents and an orifice plate at the riser top end can alleviate the maximum pressure by about 65% with about 75% of the entrapped air being released. The peak pressure during the geyser event in the multi-inlet model is less than that of a single-inlet model under the same total inflow condition, but more water can be released.
Identification and Analysis of RNA Editing Events in Ovarian Serous Cystadenoma Using RNA-seq Data
Authors: Wang Yulan , Song Xiaofeng , Xu Tianyi 
Published: February 2021

Background:
Recent studies have revealed thousands of A-to-I RNA editing events in
primates. These events are closely related to the occurrence and development of multiple cancers,
but the origination and general functions of these events in ovarian cancer remain incompletely understood.

Objective:
To further the determination of molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer from the perspective
of RNA editing.

Methods :
Here, we used the SNP-free RNA editing Identification Toolkit (SPRINT) to detect
RNA editing sites. These editing sites were then annotated, and related functional analysis was performed.

Results:
In this study, about 1.7 million RES were detected in each sample, and 98% of these sites
were due to A-to-G editing and were mainly distributed in non-coding regions. More than 1,000 A--
to-G RES were detected in CDS regions, and nearly 700 could lead to amino acid changes. Our results
also showed that editing in the 3′UTR regions could influence miRNA-target binding. We predicted
the network of changed miRNA-mRNA interaction caused by the A-to-I RNA editing sites.
We also screened the differential RNA editing sites between ovarian cancer and adjacent normal tissues.
We then performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the genes that contained
these differential RNA editing sites. Finally, we identified the potential dysregulated RNA editing
events in ovarian cancer samples.

Conclusion:
This study systematically identified and analyzed RNA editing events in ovarian cancer
and laid a foundation to explore the regulatory mechanism of RNA editing and its function in
ovarian cancer.
Regenerative Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived
Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Thalakiriyawa Dineshi Sewvandi , Jayasooriya Primali Rukmal , Dissanayaka Waruna Lakmal 
Published: February 2021

:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate
into diverse cell lineages. MSC based therapy has become a widely experimented
treatment strategy in regenerative medicine with promising outcomes. Recent reports
suggest that much of the therapeutic effects of MSCs are mediated by their secretome
that is expressed through extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are lipid bilayer bound
components that carry cellular proteins, mRNA, lncRNAs, and other molecules in order
to mediate intercellular communication and signaling. In fact, MSC-derived EVs have
been observed to implement the same therapeutic effects as MSCs with minimal
adverse effects and could be used as an alternative treatment method to MSC-based
therapy. The regenerative activity of MSC-EVs has been observed in relation to multiple
cell/tissue lineages using various animal models. However, further research and clinical
trials are essential for the advancement of this novel treatment strategy. This review
provides an insight into the available literature on applications of MSC-EVs in relation to
angiogenesis, neurogenesis, hepatic and kidney regeneration, and wound healing.
Using the Compressed Sensing Technique for Lumbar Vertebrae Imaging: Comparison with Conventional Parallel Imaging
Authors: Gao Tianyang , Lu Zhao , Wang Fengzhe , Zhao Heng , Wang Jiazheng , Pan Shinong 
Published: February 2021

Objective:
To compare conventional sensitivity encoding turbo spin-echo (SENSE-TSE)
with compressed sensing plus SENSE turbo spin-echo (CS-TSE) in lumbar vertebrae magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).

Methods:
This retrospective study of lumbar vertebrae MRI included 600 patients; 300 patients received
SENSE-TSE and 300 patients received CS-TSE. The SENSE acceleration factor was 1.4 for
T1WI, 1.7 for T2WI, and 1.7 for PDWI. The CS total acceleration factor was 2.4, 3.6, 4.0, and 4.0
for T1WI, T2WI, PDWI sagittal, and T2WI transverse, respectively. The image quality of each
MRI sequence was evaluated objectively by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise
ratio (CNR) and subjectively on a five-point scale. Two radiologists independently reviewed the
MRI sequences of the 300 patients receiving CS-TSE, and their diagnostic consistency was evaluated.
The degree of intervertebral foraminal stenosis and nerve root compression was assessed using
the T1WI sagittal and T2WI transverse images.

Results:
The scan time was reduced from 7 min 28 s to 4 min 26 s with CS-TSE. The median score
of nerve root image quality was 5 (p > 0.05). The diagnostic consistency using CS-TSE images between
the two radiologists was high for diagnosing lumbar diseases (κ > 0.75) and for evaluating
the degree of lumbar foraminal stenosis and nerve root compression (κ = 0.882). No differences between
SENSE-TSE and CS-TSE were observed for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value,
or negative predictive value.

Conclusion:
CS-TSE has the potential for diagnosing lumbar vertebrae and disc disorders.