bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A spatial study of quality of life in the USA
Authors: Amin Raid W. , Rivera-Muñiz Bradly , Guttmann Rodney P. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study's main goal was to develop a comprehensive Quality of Life (QoL) Index based on 31 demographic variables for the 3108 counties in the contiguous USA. Counties were ranked worst in QoL to best, and spatial cluster analysis is used to identify counties with significant low/high QoL clusters. GIS-based mapping was used to create informative heat maps with significant clusters shown. The rate of African Americans, diversity in a race within counties, and upward mobility were studied in a regression analysis in which QoL was predicted from these three covariates. The QoL Index was adjusted for the covariates, and a new spatial heat map with clusters is obtained. It was concluded that as the rate of African Americans increases in a county, the QoL decreases, while the QoL increases when diversity or upward mobility increases.
Advancing the Circular Economy in Public Sector Organisations: Employees’ Perspectives on Practices
Authors: Klein Natacha , Ramos Tomás B. , Deutz Pauline 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCircular economy (CE) is a concept that is gaining attention as an approach to help accelerate the transition towards sustainability. Research has focused on the adoption of CE practices in the business sector while the adoption within public sector organisations has been relatively overlooked. Examining CE adoption in the public sector through the perceptive of employees is crucial because of their expertise in the organisation where they work. The main aim of this study is to identify what public employees perceive as suitable CE practices for their organisations and their critical role in implementation. As the adoption of CE practices is influenced by social and material configurations, this research has taken a case study approach, focused on the Portuguese Central Public Administration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with public employees working on CE and sustainability issues, and a complementary analysis was undertaken of governmental reports and legislative documents. The results show that public employees view the existence and potential of CE practices mainly in the area of public procurement but also in resource efficiency and optimisation, dematerialisation and in practices related to the R-hierarchy including reduce and reuse. Both technical-oriented practices aimed to achieve traditional resource efficiency, and human-centred practices targeted at reducing consumption and sharing resources have been identified. This research provides insights into how a specific group of stakeholders envisions CE activities for their sector. Identification of practices for central public sector has the potential to assist decision-makers in the process of defining priorities for CE planning, implementation and monitoring. This study focusing on CE practices in central public sector organisations contributes to the calls for an inclusion of human/socially-based practices centred around consumption reduction, sharing and dematerialisation activities to enhance the transformative and innovative potential of CE.
Pathogenesis of overactive bladder and surgical treatment according to the Integral Theory Paradigm
Authors: Petros Peter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOveractive bladder (OAB is a definition by the International Continence Society (ICS). It comprises three symptoms, urge, frequency and nocturia. OAB is a major problem for up to 30% of women, more so for elderly women. OAB is generally assumed to be a paradigm, but it cannot meet the criteria of a paradigm, as its causation is said to be “idiopathic” (unknown) and is said to have no known treatment. In 1993, it was demonstrated that the sequence of events in urodynamically diagnosed detrusor overactivity (now “DO”) was identical with what occurred in normal micturition, which led to the conclusion that frequency, urgency, nocturia were in effect, an uncontrolled but otherwise normal micturition. Data from a 1997 experiment indicated the control mechanism of the bladder was binary, either closed or open, regulated by a peripheral musculoligamentous system under cortical control. The Integral Theory paradigm's view of OAB is based on and is compatible with, ICS definitions and descriptions. The Integral Theory paradigm (ITP) views OAB pathogenesis as anatomical, caused by defects anywhere along the control mechanism pathway, but mainly damage in its weakest link, collagen defects in the peripheral musculoligamentous system. Specific tests to prove causation consist of mechanically supporting suspensory ligaments, pubourethral ligament (PUL) or uterosacral ligament (USL), “simulated operations”; PUL support prevents urine loss on coughing; USL support by inserting the lower blade of a bivalve speculum into the vagina diminishes urge and pain. The ITP specifies treatment of correctible causes: squatting-based exercises to strengthen the reflex pelvic muscles, ligament repair by plication for premenopausal women, slings for postmenopausal women.
Swimming training combined with chitosan supplementation reduces the development of obesity and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice
Authors: Zalaqi Zahra , Ghazalian Farshad , Khodayar Mohammad Javad , Raesi Vanani Atefeh , Khorsandi Layasadat , Shushizadeh Mohammad Reza 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObesity is often introduced as one of the metabolic disorders caused by imbalance between energy consumption and metabolisable energy intake. Experts in the field considered obesity as one of the robust risk factors for the lifestyle-associated diseases. The present research examined interventional effects of marine chitosan (CS), swimming training (ST) and combination of CS and ST (CS + ST) in the mice fed with high-fat diets (HFD). In this study, sample size was considered more than three in groups. Forty mice were randomly divided into five groups (n8 per group) including control group (received the standard diet), HFD group (received high-fat food with 20 % fat), HFD + CS group (treated with high-fat food with 5 % CS), HFD + ST group (treated with HFD and ST) and HFD + CS + ST group (treated with high-fat food with 5 % CS and ST). After 8 weeks, the blood glucose, oxidative stress (OS) and lipid profile were measured. The results showed that CS + ST group has more effects in the control of body weight with the increased concentration of HDL-cholesterol, OS inhibition via enhancing the body antioxidant capacity in comparison with the ST or CS alone in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, lipid profile was improved in CS + ST-treated mice compared with HFD-treated mice, and OS inhibition correlated with the greater activities of the antioxidant enzyme enhances the lipid oxidation, cholesterol and fatty acid homoeostasis. The results suggested that a dietary intervention with a combined ST and CS can be a feasible supplementary for human prevention of obesity.
Oat (Avena sativa) yield and grain fill responses to varying agronomic and weather factors
Authors: McCabe C. P. , Burke J. I. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFactorial experiments were carried out on spring- and winter-sown oat crops in Ireland in 2016–2019 to identify plant responses in yield formation and grain filling procedures. Two cultivars (Husky and Keely), three seed rates (250, 350 and 450 seeds/m2), six applied nitrogen (N) rates (40, 70, 100, 130, 160 and 190 kg N/ha) with a plant growth regulator (PGR) were examined in spring and winter sowings, using the same cultivars at five rates of applied N (80, 110, 140, 170 and 200 kg N/ha). The applied N rate and seed rate significantly (P < 0.05) modified the yield components determining grains/m2 in spring- and winter-sown crops with increases in panicle number of key importance. Increases were also observed in the proportion of primary grain by weight (0.9–1.6%) and number (0.7–1.4%) ratios in spring-sown crops in response to applied N rate, with winter-sown crops exhibiting a more consistent pattern of grain fill. Seed rate and PGR application had minor effects on yield components and panicle conformation. Grain fill procedures played an important role in the maximization of grain yield under seasonal conditions. Significant positive correlations were observed between the number of aborted grain sites and yield under drought conditions (0.22), with negative associations observed in near-optimal conditions (−0.22 to −0.41). Agronomic effects on grain site abortion were minimal in comparison with seasonal effects. In seasons characterized by cool, consistent conditions, grain yield was maximized by the utilization of all available grain sites. Where assimilate shortages were encountered during grain fill the abortion of grains sites was positively associated with grain yield.
Stiffness modulation of a cable-driven leg exoskeleton for effective human–robot interaction
Authors: Sanjeevi N. S. S. , Vashista Vineet 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the widespread development of leg exoskeletons to provide external force-based repetitive training for gait rehabilitation, the prospect of undesired movement adaptation due to applied forces and imposed constraints require adequate investigation. A cable-driven leg exoskeleton, CDLE, presents a lightweight, flexible, and redundantly actuated architecture that enables the possibility of system parameters modulation to alter human–robot interaction while applying the desired forces. In this work, multi-joint stiffness performance of CDLE is formulated to systematically analyze human–CDLE interaction. Further, potential alterations in CDLE architecture are presented to tune human–CDLE interaction that favors the desired human leg movement during a gait rehabilitation paradigm.
Protective effects of health insurance against disasters: an insight from the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Yuda Michio , Lee Jinkook 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 and it's massive tidal waves wreaked devastating damage on residences and communities along 400 km of the Pacific coast in Japan. Using the panel data from the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement, we estimate the effects of this disaster on individual health, finding a significant negative impact on the health of those in the area. In addition, we exploit a discontinuous decrease in copayments for medical care at the age of 70 years and find that the reduction in copayment increased medical and long-term care utilization and significantly reduced health deterioration after the earthquake.
Riverine Carbon Cycling Over the Past Century in the Mid‐Atlantic Region of the United States
Authors: Yao Yuanzhi , Tian Hanqin , Pan Shufen , Najjar Raymond G. , Friedrichs Marjorie A. M. , Bian Zihao , Li Hong‐Yi , Hofmann Eileen E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe lateral transport and degassing of carbon in riverine ecosystems is difficult to quantify on large spatial and long temporal scales due to the relatively poor representation of carbon processes in many models. Here, we coupled a scale‐adaptive hydrological model with the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model to simulate key riverine carbon processes across the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay Watersheds from 1900 to 2015. Our results suggest that throughout this time period riverine CO2 degassing and lateral dissolved inorganic carbon fluxes to the coastal ocean contribute nearly equally to the total riverine carbon outputs (mean ± standard deviation: 886 ± 177 Gg C·yr−1 and 883 ± 268 Gg C·yr−1, respectively). Following in order of decreasing importance are the lateral dissolved organic carbon flux to the coastal ocean (293 ± 81 Gg C·yr−1), carbon burial (118 ± 32 Gg C·yr−1), and lateral particulate organic carbon flux (105 ± 35 Gg C·yr−1). In the early 2000s, carbon export to the coastal ocean from both the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay watersheds was only 15%–20% higher than it was in the early 1900s (decade), but it showed a twofold increase in standard deviation. Climate variability (changes in temperature and precipitation) explains most (225 Gg C·yr−1) of the increase since 1900, followed by changes in atmospheric CO2 (82 Gg C·yr−1), atmospheric nitrogen deposition (44 Gg C·yr−1), and applications of nitrogen fertilizer and manure (27 Gg C·yr−1); in contrast, land conversion has resulted in a 188 Gg C·yr−1 decrease in carbon export.
Climate Change Impact Studies: Should We Bias Correct Climate Model Outputs or Post‐Process Impact Model Outputs?
Authors: Chen Jie , Arsenault Richard , Brissette François P. , Zhang Shaobo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe inter‐variable dependence of climate variables is usually not considered in many bias correction methods, even though it has been deemed important for various impact studies. Another possible approach is to forgo the bias correction of climate model outputs, and instead, post‐process the outputs of the impact model. This has the advantage of circumventing the difficulties associated with correcting the inter‐variable dependence of climate variables. Using a hydrological impact study as an example, this study investigates the feasibility of bias correcting impact model outputs by comparing the performance of the pre‐processing and post‐processing of hydrological model simulations when using bias correction methods. The performance over calibration and validation periods was used to assess the transferability of both approaches. The results show that both the pre‐processing and post‐processing procedures are capable of significantly reducing the bias of simulated streamflow time series for most global climate models (GCMs), even though their performances depend on GCM simulations, hydrological models, streamflow metrics and watersheds. Both approaches were likely to perform badly over the validation period when bias correction factors have a strong seasonal variability and are therefore sensitive to bias nonstationarity of climate model outputs and/or streamflow between the calibration and validation periods. This problem is found to be more acute for the post‐processing method because streamflows often have a seasonal pattern with more abrupt changes than precipitation and temperature. For this reason, pre‐processing is recommended as it is less likely to suffer from this problem.
Adjoint‐State Traveltime Tomography: Eikonal Equation‐Based Methods and Application to the Anza Area in Southern California
Authors: Tong Ping 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRay tracing is avoidable in seismic traveltime tomography. In this study, seismic traveltime tomography is reformulated as an eikonal equation‐constrained optimization problem solved by the ray‐free adjoint‐state method. The resultant approach is called adjoint‐state traveltime tomography. For completeness, an eikonal equation‐based earthquake location method is developed to locate the hypocenters of earthquakes when necessary. The multiple‐grid model parameterization is adopted to discretize the relative slowness perturbation . The step‐size‐controlled gradient descent method, which has an effect of damping regularization, is used to find optimal earthquake hypocenters and velocity models. The performances of the earthquake location and adjoint‐state traveltime tomography methods are tested in the source area of the 2020 Mw 4.9 Anza earthquake, a seismologically active place in southern California. The obtained high‐resolution P‐wave velocity model demonstrates that the 2020 Mw 4.9 Anza earthquake and other historic moderate‐sized Anza earthquakes occurred near or at the boundaries of low VP rocks, a typical seismogenic environment for moderate to large crustal earthquakes. Meanwhile, the source zone of the Anza earthquakes is characterized by high VP/VS, indicating the possible existence of crustal fluids as well as the critical role of fluids in the occurrence of those moderated‐sized Anza earthquakes. On the whole, the well‐performed eikonal equation‐based earthquake location method and adjoint‐state traveltime tomography method provide competent and attractive tools for hypocenter and tomographic inversions.
Tumor-derived exosomal circPSMA1 facilitates the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and migration in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) through miR-637/Akt1/β-catenin (cyclin D1) axis
Authors: Yang Su-jin , Wang Dan-dan , Zhong Shan-liang , Chen Wen-quan , Wang Feng-liang , Zhang Jian , Xu Wen-xiu , Xu Di , Zhang Qian , Li Jian , Zhang He-da , Hou Jun-chen , Mao Ling , Tang Jin-hai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly gaining importance and attention due to their diverse potential functions and their value as diagnostic biomarkers (disease specific). This study aims to explore the novel mechanisms by which exosome-contained circRNAs promote tumor development and metastasis in TNBC. We identified increased circRNA circPSMA1 in TNBC cells, their exosomes, and serum exosomes samples from TNBC patients. The overexpression of circPSMA1 promoted TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we investigated the tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) or stromal components in immune microenvironment (IME), and identified the significant differences in the immune cells between TNBC and non-TNBC samples. Mechanistically, circPSMA1 acted as a “miRNAs sponge” to absorb miR-637; miR-637 inhibited TNBC cell migration and metastasis by directly targeted Akt1, which recognized as a key immune-related gene and affected downstream genes β-catenin and cyclin D1. Subsequent co-culture experiments also demonstrated that exosomes from TNBC carrying large amounts of circPSMA1 could transmit migration and proliferation capacity to recipient cells. Kaplan–Meier plots showed that high expression of Akt1 and low expression of mir-637 are highly correlated with poor prognosis in patients with lymph node metastasis of TNBC. Collectively, all these results reveal that circPSMA1 functions as a tumor promoter through the circPSMA1/miR-637/Akt1-β-catenin (cyclin D1) regulatory axis, which can facilitate the tumorigenesis, metastasis, and immunosuppression of TNBC. Our research proposes a fresh perspective on novel potential biomarkers and immune treatment strategies for TNBC.
CRISPR-edited CART with GM-CSF knockout and auto secretion of IL6 and IL1 blockers in patients with hematologic malignancy
Authors: Yi Yan , Chai Xiaoshan , Zheng Liping , Zhang Yongjing , Shen Jiankai , Hu Biliang , Tao Guangshi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRevolutionary CART therapy still faces the challenge of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS). While IL6 and IL1 have been demonstrated as essential contributors, GM-CSF is one of the most abundant inflammatory cytokines secreted by CART and has also been suggested in contributing to CRS. To minimize GM-CSF production from CART to reduce its associated toxicity, we conducted a pilot study (ChiCTR2000032124) of CRISPR-edited GM-CSF knockout (KO) in CART secreting anti-IL6 scFv and IL1RA, with additional TCR KO for tracing edited CART. The initial results of three patients (1 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 2 multiple myelomas (MMs)) are summarized as: 3/3 complete response, 2/3 none CRS, 1/3 grade 2 CRS, and 0/3 neurotoxicity. The analysis revealed low levels of GM-CSF, IL6 and IL1B at the time of interferon-gamma (IFNG) peaks, and elevated IL1RA. We also observed significant expansion of CD3– CART during treatment and no aberrant expansion of CD3– CART in the follow-up. Re-expansion of CD3– CART was observed in two patients while recurring CD19+ cells were eradicated in the patient with NHL. In summary, our study supported the safety and durable potency of CRISPR-edited CART in patients, providing a novel platform for developing autologous or allogeneic CART to minimize GM-CSF-associated toxicity in addition to autonomous IL6/IL1 blockade.
How do non-geneticist physicians deal with genetic tests? A qualitative analysis
Authors: Pasquier Laurent , Minguet Guy , Moisdon-Chataigner Sylvie , Jarno Pascal , Denizeau Philippe , Volf Ginette , Odent Sylvie , Moutel Grégoire 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGenetic testing is accepted to be a common practice in many medical specialties. These genetic tests raise issues such as respect for basic rights, how to handle results and uncertainty and how to balance concerns for medical confidentiality with the rights of third parties. Physicians need help to deal with the rapid development of genomic medicine as most of them have received no specific training on the medical, ethical, and social issues involved. Analyzing how these professionals integrate genetic testing into the patient-provider relationship is essential to paving the way for a better use of genomics by all. We conducted a qualitative study comprising a series of focus groups with 21 neurologists and endocrinologists about their genetic testing practices in the western part of France. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for major themes. We identified an automated care management procedure of genetic testing that affects patient autonomy. The simple fact of having a written consent cannot justify a genetic test given the stakes associated with the results. We also suggest orienting practices toward a systemic approach using a multidisciplinary team or network to provide resources for dealing with uncertainties in interpreting results or situations that require additional technical or clinical skills and, if necessary, to allow for joint consultations with both a geneticist and a non-geneticist medical specialist.
Nanoscale electric-field imaging based on a quantum sensor and its charge-state control under ambient condition
Authors: Bian Ke , Zheng Wentian , Zeng Xianzhe , Chen Xiakun , Stöhr Rainer , Denisenko Andrej , Yang Sen , Wrachtrup Jörg , Jiang Ying 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond can be used as quantum sensors to image the magnetic field with nanoscale resolution. However, nanoscale electric-field mapping has not been achieved so far because of the relatively weak coupling strength between NV and electric field. Here, using individual shallow NVs, we quantitatively image electric field contours from a sharp tip of a qPlus-based atomic force microscope (AFM), and achieve a spatial resolution of ~10 nm. Through such local electric fields, we demonstrated electric control of NV’s charge state with sub-5 nm precision. This work represents the first step towards nanoscale scanning electrometry based on a single quantum sensor and may open up the possibility of quantitatively mapping local charge, electric polarization, and dielectric response in a broad spectrum of functional materials at nanoscale.
Recurrent deletions in clonal hematopoiesis are driven by microhomology-mediated end joining
Authors: Feldman Tzah , Bercovich Akhiad , Moskovitz Yoni , Chapal-Ilani Noa , Mitchell Amanda , Medeiros Jessie J. F. , Biezuner Tamir , Kaushansky Nathali , Minden Mark D. , Gupta Vikas , Milyavsky Michael , Livneh Zvi , Tanay Amos , Shlush Liran I. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe mutational mechanisms underlying recurrent deletions in clonal hematopoiesis are not entirely clear. In the current study we inspect the genomic regions around recurrent deletions in myeloid malignancies, and identify microhomology-based signatures in CALR, ASXL1 and SRSF2 loci. We demonstrate that these deletions are the result of double stand break repair by a PARP1 dependent microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) pathway. Importantly, we provide evidence that these recurrent deletions originate in pre-leukemic stem cells. While DNA polymerase theta (POLQ) is considered a key component in MMEJ repair, we provide evidence that pre-leukemic MMEJ (preL-MMEJ) deletions can be generated in POLQ knockout cells. In contrast, aphidicolin (an inhibitor of replicative polymerases and replication) treatment resulted in a significant reduction in preL-MMEJ. Altogether, our data indicate an association between POLQ independent MMEJ and clonal hematopoiesis and elucidate mutational mechanisms involved in the very first steps of leukemia evolution.