bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatially Restricted Occurrence and Low Population Abundance Estimates as Key Tools for the Conservation of the Critically Endangered Large Social Antelope in West African Savannah
Authors: Gueye Mallé , Brandlová Karolína , Rabeil Thomas , Diop Maniang Mamadou , Diop Babacar , Hejcmanová Pavla 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The effective conservation of mammals on the brink of extinction requires an integrated socio-ecological approach, yet the knowledge of updated species distribution, population size, and life-history remain fundamental steppingstones in designing successful conservation plans. This study presents the first clarification on the population status of the critically endangered Western Derby eland (WDE) within its last stronghold, based on the first camera trap monitoring in the Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP, Senegal). The spatiotemporal pattern of WDE behaviour, their population structure (based on individual recognition), age-specific survival rates, and population size estimate were investigated.Results: WDE were recorded during 49 events using dry season deployments (2017, 2018), during which they showed substantially lower occupancy (< 5% of protected area) in comparison to other ungulates in the park. WDE distribution, as of that of many other large mammal species, was strongly localised in the core area of NKNP. Based on the records, WDE were the most active during the hottest periods of the day. Group size ranged from 1 to 32 individuals (mean 7.6 ± SE 8.9), with mixed herds being larger and most frequent compared to others. The adult sex ratio was female-biased, and showed low annual adult male survival rates. The population consisted of a relatively high proportion of juveniles, whilst the proportion of adults did not exceed 40%. The estimated population density is 0.138 WDE/km2 (± 0.0102), with an estimated 195 WDE in NKNP.Conclusions: Findings highlighted that the WDE population has potential to expand in the NKNP, due to an underutilized capacity, and considering the population density. The age-specific vital rates indicate that adult males are the most vulnerable; which suggests either an increase in the large predators’ population, livestock encroachment pressure, and/or poaching. The occurrence of WDE indicated the key conservation area within the park, and together with their active behaviour during daylight periods, this enables the setting up of effective species protection. The findings imply that targeted monitoring with science-based interpretation may bring forward strong conservation solutions to the protected area management decision-makers.
Evaluation of hTERT, KRT7, and Survivin in Urine for Noninvasive Detection of Bladder Cancer using Real-Time PCR.&nbsp;
Authors: Yahyazadeh Seyed Reza , Bashash Davood , Ghaffari Parisa , Safargholi-Azar Ava , Kord Saeid , Ghaffari Seyed H. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objectives: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder is the second most common genitourinary malignancy. Because of the low sensitivity of urinary cytology and the invasiveness and expense of frequent cystoscopies for the detection of low-grade superficial lesions, we aimed to establish a sensitive molecular approach to detect bladder cancer noninvasively.Methods: Voided urine samples were collected from 80 patients with bladder cancer at the time of diagnosis, 30 patients with non-bladder cancer urological diseases, and 20 healthy volunteers. The level of hTERT, KRT7, and survivin (SVV) mRNAs were analyzed using a qRT-PCR assay. Results: The optimal threshold values for hTERT, KRT7, and SVV in urine were calculated by ROC curves analysis. The overall sensitivity was 81.3%, 91.3%, and 68.8% for hTERT, KRT7, and SVV, respectively, which were significantly higher than urine cytology (22.2%, p<0.001). A higher positive ratio was obtained using multi-marker detection in comparison to single marker detection. The combined use of markers increased the sensitivity of cytology from 22.2% to 100%. In contrast with the urine cytology method, the sensitivity of these biomarkers was not correlated with the grades and stages of the bladder tumors.Conclusions: Our data indicate that urinary hTERT, KRT7, and SVV had superior sensitivities over cytology. The combined use of these markers may offer a powerful assay and a promising tool for a sensitive, noninvasive, and highly specific method of diagnosis and follows up of low-grade TCC of the bladder.
Weight Changes According to Treatment in a Diverse Cohort of Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Fukui Jami , White Kami , Frankland Timothy , Oshiro Caryn , Wilkens Lynne 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Weight changes are common among breast cancer patients. The majority of studies to date have focused on weight gain after a breast cancer diagnosis and its implications on health in survivors. Fewer studies have examined weight loss and its related characteristics. Weight changes have been reported to be influenced by several factors such as age, treatment, stage and pre-diagnostic weight. We evaluated weight changes during key treatment time points in early stage breast cancer patients.
Methods

We characterized 389 female patients diagnosed in Hawaii with early stage breast cancer from 2003–2017 in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) linked with Kaiser Permanente Hawaii electronic medical record data. We evaluated weight changes from surgery to 4 years post-diagnosis with six time points along a patient’s treatment trajectory (chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine, or surgery alone) and annually thereafter, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity and initial body mass index (BMI).
Results

We found key time points of significant weight change for breast cancer patients according to their adjuvant treatment. In patients who had surgery alone (S), surgery-radiation (SR), or surgery-endocrine therapy (SE), the majority of patients had stable weight, although this consistently decreased over time. However, the percentages of patients with weight loss and weight gain during this time steadily increased up to 4 years after initial surgery. Weight loss was more common than weight gain by about 2 fold in these treatment groups. For patients with surgery-chemotherapy (SC), there was significant weight loss seen within the first 3 months after surgery, during the time when patients receive chemotherapy. And this weight loss persisted until year 4. Weight gain was less commonly seen in this treatment group.
Conclusions

We identified key time points during breast cancer treatment that may provide a therapeutic window to positively influence outcomes. Tailored weight management interventions should be utilized to promote overall health and long term survivorship.
Preparation and Investigation of structure, optical , nonlinear optical and thermoelectric properties of Bi2Se3 thin film
Authors: Moez Ahmed Abdel , Elmelgeei H A , Ali A I 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Bi2Se3 thin film were prepared using vacuum thermal evaporation technique. the structure and surface topography for this sample were investigated using both of Diffraction Electron Microscope photos (DEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Bi2Se3 thin film had a direct energy gap which was determined by using measured optical parameters such as optical transmittance (T) and optical reflectance (R). The values for both of the oscillating energy ( Eo) ,dispersion energy (Ed) and ratio of the free carrier concentration on the effective mass (N/m*) were determined optically using the calculated values of refractive index (n). The dielectrical parameters such as dielectric loss (ε\) and dielectric tangent loss dielectric loss (ε\\) were calculated. The density of states (DOS) for both of valence band (Nv) and conduction band (Nc) and also position of Fermi level were determined. The nonlinear optical results such as third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)), nonlinear refractive index (n2) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (βc) were determined. The influence of temperature on IV results were studied, finally the dependence of all of Dispersion factor (D), parallel inductance (Lp) and Seebeck coefficient (S) values on temperature for this film were studied.
Grinding of Fir Tree Slots of Powder Metallurgy Superalloy FGH96 using Profiled Electroplated CBN Wheel
Authors: Li Xun , Qin Bin , WANG Ziming , ZHNAG Yu , YU Jianhua 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Broaching is commonly used for machining fir tree slots on turbine disk, which has outstandingadvantages and disadvantages, such as high quality machined surface, high manufacturing accuracy and highproductivity as well as fa st tool wear, extremely high processing costs and long preparation time, poor processflexibility. Utilizing the electroplated cubic boron nitride (CBN) profiled grinding wheels and single sided localprofiled grinding process, the experiments of FGH96 tur bine disk slots are carried out. The results show that thehigh precision of slot profile can be achieved by the developed process. Using the given experimental parametersn =48000 rpm, a p =0.002 mm, v f =100 mm/min and 600# electroplated CBN profiled wheel, the profile error ofFGH96 slots is within ±0.012 mm, and the grinding surface roughness is less than Ra0.8 μm. After four whole slotsare machined completely, the grinding wheel still has grinding capability, which proves that 600 # electroplatedCBN prof iled wheel can meet the grinding needs of FGH96 turbine disk slots.
Turbulent Flow Simulation of a Single-Blade Magnus Rotor
Authors: Bai Xin , Ji Chunning , Grant Paul , Phillips Nathan , Oza Utsav , Avital Eldad , Wil John J.R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper presents the numerical studies of the Magnus effect for a kinetic turbine of a horizontal axis. To focus on the Magnus blade, a single self-spinning cylindrical blade is assumed. An iterative direct- forcing immersed boundary method is employed within the Eulerian-Lagrangian framework due to its capability to treat complex and moving geometries. The Eulerian fluid domain is discretized using the finite volume method while the Magnus rotor is represented by a set of discrete points/markers. The aim of the numerical studies is to provide insights for the design process and predict aerodynamic performances under various operating conditions. Results for the self-spinning cylinder at laminar and turbulent flows are found to be in good agreement with published data. By decreasing the aspect ratio of the cylinder (simulated segment length over its diameter), an increase in lift coefficient and a decrease in drag coefficient was observed, which is believed to be attributed to a reduction in the three- dimensionality of the near-wake. For the Magnus rotor, key parameters, such as dynamic forcing and frequency, distribution of pressure coefficient and torque have been produced for two cases with different structural designs and working conditions. With increase of the aspect ratio, stable forces are observed from the root side of the blade and the torque coefficient is relatively larger, which indicates a superior performance in terms of power extraction.
Measurement Invariance of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Lawal Oluwaseyi Adetutu , Awosoga Oluwagbohunmi , Santana Maria , James Matthew T. , Wilton Stephen B , Norris Colleen M , Lix Lisa M. , Sajobi Tolulope T. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
PurposeThe Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) is a widely used patient-reported measure of health status in patients with coronary artery disease. Comparisons of SAQ scores amongst population groups and over time rely on the assumption that its factorial structure is invariant (i.e., equivalent). This study evaluates the measurement invariance of the SAQ across different demographic and clinical groups as well as over time.MethodsData were obtained from the Alberta Provincial Project on Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease registry, a population-based registry of patients who received coronary angiogram in Alberta, Canada. Health-related quality of life was measured using the 16-item Canadian version of the SAQ (SAQ-CAN). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess configural, weak, strong, and strict measurement invariance (MI) across age groups, sex, disease type, treatment, and over time. Model fit was assessed using the comparative fit index (CFI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA).ResultsOf the 8101 patients who completed the measure at baseline, 1300 (16.1%) were at least 75 years old, while 1755 (21.7%) were female, 5154 (63.6%) were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, while 1177(14.5%) received coronary artery bypass graft treatment. There was evidence of strict invariance across age, sex, and disease groups, but partial strict invariance was established across treatment sub-groups and over time.ConclusionSAQ-CAN is a valid measure for comparing health-related quality of life of coronary artery disease patients across population groups and over time.
Genetic Ancestry Inferred From Autosomal and Y Chromosome Markers and HLA&nbsp;Genotypes in Type 1 Diabetes From an Admixed Brazilian Population.
Authors: Azulay Rossana Santiago de Sousa , Porto Luís Cristóvão , Silva Dayse Aparecida , Tavares Maria da Gloria , Dualibe Roberta , Nascimento Gilvan Cortês , Damianse Sabrina da Silva Pereira , Rocha Viviane Chaves de Carvalho , Magalhães Marcelo , Rodrigues Vandilson , Carvalho Paulo Ricardo Vilas Boas , Faria Manuel dos Santos , Gomes Marília Brito 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between genetic ancestry inferred from autosomal and Y chromosome markers and HLA genotypes in patients with Type 1 Diabetes from an admixed Brazilian population. Inference of autosomal ancestry; HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 typifications; and Y chromosome analysis were performed. European autosomal ancestry was about 50%, followed by approximately 25% of African and Native American. The European Y chromosome was predominant. The HLA-DRB1* 03 and DRB1* 04 alleles presented risk association with T1D. When the Y chromosome was European, DRB1*03 and DRB1*04 homozygote and DRB1*03/DRB1*04 heterozygote genotypes were the most frequent. The results suggest that individuals from Maranhão have a European origin as their major component; and are patrilineal with greater frequency from the R1b haplogroup. The predominance of the HLA-DRB1* 03 and DRB1* 04 alleles conferring greater risk in our population and being more frequently related to the ancestry of the European Y chromosome suggests that in our population, the risk of T1D can be transmitted by European ancestors of our process miscegenation. However, the Y sample sizes of Africans and Native Americans were small, and further research should be conducted with large mixed sample sizes to clarify this possible association.
Fragility Functions for Local Failure Mechanisms in Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
Authors: Nale Marco , Minghini Fabio , Chiozzi Andrea , Tralli Antonio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The unreinforced masonry buildings can be present frequent local failure mechanisms and represent a serious life-safety hazard as recent strong earthquakes have shown. Compared to new building, existing unreinforced masonry buildings prone to be more vulnerable, not only because they have been designed without seismic or limited loading requirements, but also because horizontal structures and connections amid the walls are not always suitable. Out-of-plane collapse can be caused by important slenderness of walls also when connections are effective. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate fragility functions for unreinforced masonry walls in the presence of local failure mechanisms considering the out-of-plane response. The wall response, very often, can be idealized as rigid bodies undergoing rocking motion. Depending on its configuration, a wall is assumed either as a rigid body undergoing simple one-sided rocking or an assembly of two coupled rigid bodies rocking along their common edge. A set of 44 ground motions from earthquake events occurred from 1972 to 2017 in Italy is used in this study. The likelihood of collapse is calculated via Multiple Stripe Analysis (MSA) from a given wall undergoing a specific ground motion. Later, the single fragility functions are suitably combined to define a typological fragility function for a class of buildings. The procedure is applied to a historical aggregate in the city center of Ferrara (Italy) as a case study. The fragility functions developed in this research can be a very helpful tool for estimating damage and economic loss for unreinforced masonry buildings and for a seismic assessment on a regional scale.
A Novel 23-Gene Expression Signature is Predictor of Inferior Prognosis in Melanoma
Authors: Du Min , Ma Ling , Zhang Fan , Li Dong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes. Metastasis, somatic mutations and gene expression profiles are important prognostic factors for melanoma patients. However, accurate prediction of patient prognosis remains an unsolved problem for the disease. This study was to develop a novel gene profile to accurately classify melanoma patients into subgroups with different survival probabilities. Methods: Survival-related genes were determined by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariate analysis using the expression and clinical data of 467 melanoma patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and validated in an independent Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. Feature selection was performed by the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method. A prognostic 23-gene score was established and compared with two known gene-expression risk scores. The stratification of melanoma patients was performed by unsupervised hierarchical clustering of 23 gene expression levels to identify clusters of melanoma patients with different survival probabilities. Results: The LASSO model comprising 23 genes was considered as the optimal model. The 23-gene score was associated with increased mortality in melanoma patients regardless of clinicopathological characteristics. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the 23 genes revealed three subgroups of melanoma patients. The cluster3 melanoma tumours were associated with higher 23-gene score and poorer overall survival than cluster1 and cluster2 tumours. The 23-gene score had higher area under curve (0.76) than the 8-gene risk score and IRGs score (0.58 and 0.59) in the prediction of overall survival of melanoma patients. Conclusions: The 23-gene score is superior to the two established prognostic gene signatures in the prediction of prognosis of melanoma patients.
The Health and Economic Benefits Possible with Novel Tuberculosis Vaccines – A Modeling Study in India and Indonesia
Authors: Silva Sachin , Awad Susanne , Abu-Raddad Laith , Atun Rifat , Goosby Eric , Reid Michael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Health and economic benefits possible with emerging tuberculosis vaccines are not fully known. We estimated gains possible with novel post-exposure vaccines, in India and Indonesia. We modeled vaccine impact on TB incidence, TB mortality, and on national income growth and the intrinsic value of living longer, known as Full-income. We considered several vaccine efficacies, initiation and scale-up scenarios. We found that if all age groups are vaccinated in 2025, then 2.3 million TB deaths in India and 695,000 TB deaths in Indonesia can be prevented, adding 0.09 years and 0.17 years to individual life expectancy at birth, on average annually. Full-income savings is US$2 trillion in India and US$680 billion in Indonesia. Even if delayed until 2030, 1.6 million deaths in India and 489,000 deaths in Indonesia can be prevented, with full-income savings of US$1.5 trillion and US$490 billion. These benefits suggest that further investment in the vaccines is prudent.Significance Statement There are no prior economic evaluations of candidate tuberculosis vaccines. Our study addresses this gap to answer two questions: (1) is there value in making the vaccine available given the efficacies demonstrated to date; and (2) is there an optimal time window for making the vaccine available. The conclusions in relation to these two questions are important because: (1) they are based on findings from two countries, which jointly account for 35% of global TB incidence and 38.8% of global TB mortality in 2019; (2) they provide guidance for future investment in the vaccine and roll-out in those countries.
Postpartum Green Star Family Planning Decision Aid for Pregnant Adolescents in Tanzania: a Qualitative Feasibility Study
Authors: Mushy Stella Emmanuel , Shishido Eri , Leshabari Sebalda , Horiuchi Shigeko 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The use of a decision aid (DA) in clinical settings has been useful as they inform and educate clients about the available options that help them to reduce decision-making conflict related to feeling uninformed and unclear about personal values compared with usual care. There is a dearth of published data about the use of decision aid during family planning (FP) counseling with postpartum women focusing on long-acting reversible family planning methods. Therefore, the researchers developed a decision aid named “Green Star” and assessed its feasibility. The study outcomes were practicality, usefulness, and acceptability as perceived by the pregnant adolescents and the nurse/midwives.Methods: An exploratory in-depth qualitative interview involving six nurse/midwives with three or more years of experience in FP services, and 12 pregnant adolescents aged 15-19 years. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants, and sampling relied on the saturation principle of data collection. Researchers used a semi-structured interview guide translated into Kiswahili language. Data were transcribed and analyzed following inductive-deductive content analysis. Results: The length of the presentation was found to be just right, with time ranging from twenty minutes to one hour. The flow of the information was stated to be good with small significant changes suggested. Kiswahili language used was reported to be appropriate and well elaborated, however, a few words were suggested to be rephrased to reduce ambiguity. The nurse/midwives reported that the DA included most of the important information clients wanted to know during FP counseling. The adolescents stated that the DA improved their knowledge and provided new information about the existence of FP immediately after childbirth. The participants said the DA clearly addressed the benefits and side effects as well as dispelled some myths and misconceptions. The DA was accepted to be useful in complementing the daily family planning counseling offered as well as in improving adolescents’ knowledge. Conclusion: The postpartum Green Star family planning decision aid was perceived to be practical, useful, and acceptable. Further research is needed to assess the effect of the DA in the choice for postpartum long acting reversible FP among the pregnant adolescents in Tanzania.