bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different Zn Loading in Urea-Formaldehyde Influences the N Controlled Release by Structure Modification
Authors: Giroto Amanda S. , Valle Stella F. , Guimaraes Gelton G. F. , Jablonowski Nicolai D. , Ribeiro Caue , Mattoso Luiz Henrique C. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nitrogen fertilization has been a critical factor for high crop productivity, where urea is currently the most used N source due to its high concentration and affordability. Nevertheless, urea fast solubilization leads to frequent losses and lower agronomic efficiency. The modification of urea structure by condensation with formaldehyde has been proposed to improve nutrient uptake by plants and to reduce environmental losses. Herein we show that the co-formulation with Zn strongly modifies the N release (in lab conditions) and, more important, the Zn source – ZnSO4 or ZnO – has a critical role. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) served as a matrix for the zinc sources, whose chemical characterizations revealed that Zn particles influenced the length of the polymeric chains' formation. Release tests in an aqueous medium showed that the UF matrix favors ZnO release and, on the other hand, delays ZnSO4 delivery. Soil incubation with the fertilizer composites proved the slow-release of N from UF, ideal for optimizing nutritional efficiency. Our results indicated that ZnO: UF system has beneficial effects for both nutrients, i.e., reduces N volatilization and increases Zn release.
Transcriptional Expression Changes During Compensatory Plasticity in the Central Nervous System of the Adult Cricket Gryllus Bimaculatus: I. Auditory System Plasticity in the Prothoracic Ganglia
Authors: Wang Felicia , Fisher Harrison , Morse Maeve , Ledwidge Lisa L. , O’Brien Jack , Kingston Sarah E . , Beckman Justin , Johnson Jasmine J. , Portillo Lyn S. Miranda , Musawi Tabarak N Al , Horch Hadley Wilson 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Most adult organisms are limited in their capacity to recover from neurological damage. The auditory system of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, presents a compelling model for investigating neuroplasticity due to its unusual capabilities for structural reorganization into adulthood. Specifically, the dendrites of the central auditory neurons of the prothoracic ganglion sprout in response to the loss of auditory afferents. Deafferented auditory dendrites grow across the midline, a boundary they normally respect, and form functional synapses with the contralateral auditory afferents, restoring tuning-curve specificity. The molecular pathways underlying these changes are entirely unknown. Here, we used a multiple k-mer approach to re-assemble a previously reported prothoracic ganglion transcriptome that included ganglia collected one, three, and seven days after unilateral deafferentation in adult, male animals. We used EdgeR and DESeq2 to perform differential expression analysis and we examined Gene Ontologies to further understand the potential molecular basis of this compensatory anatomical plasticity. Enriched GO terms included those related to protein translation and degradation, enzymatic activity, and Toll signaling. Extracellular space GO terms were also enriched and included the upregulation of several protein yellow family members one day after deafferentation. Investigation of these regulated GO terms help to provide a broader understanding of the types of pathways that might be involved in this compensatory growth and can be used to design hypotheses around identified molecular mechanisms that may be involved in this unique example of adult structural plasticity.
The Association Between Family Impact and Health-Related Quality of Life of Children With Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: yang hong , luo shunqing , liang xiaohua , lin qin , cheng ting , zeng li , tang fang , wu di 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIdiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) reduces patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The impacts of disease and treatment on families are also an important concern. This study aimed to assess the impact of ICPP on the HRQoL of children and parents; its impact on family functioning; and to determine the association between patient HRQoL and family impact, comprising the HRQoL of parents and family functioning.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study in Chongqing, China. A case group of 134 children with ICPP aged 5 to 12 years and their caregivers was recruited from a children’s hospital in Chongqing. A total of 210 gender- and age-matched subjects from two schools were selected as controls. Patient HRQoL was assessed by administering the PedsQLTM4.0 Generic Core Scales (GCS). Impacts of ICPP on parental HRQoL and family functioning were evaluated by the PedsQLTM Family Impact Module (FIM).ResultsA total of 344 subjects were enrolled, with 134 in the case group and 210 in the control group. Children with ICPP scored lower than controls in all HRQoL domains except physical functioning. In particular, the two groups were significantly different in emotional functioning scores (77.39±17.97 vs 84.12±14.35, P<0.001). Compared with controls, ICPP families had lower scores in all dimensions of the PedsQLTM4.0 FIM scale. In the case group, patient HRQoL was significantly correlated with family impact scores (r= 0.224, P<0.05), but not with the dimensions of social functioning, communication, worry, and family relationships. Conclusions﻿ICPP worsens the HRQoL of patients and their parents, and also impairs family functioning. In addition, parents with higher HRQoL scores and family functioning generally reported higher HRQoL of children with ICPP. These findings suggest that health care professionals should identify and monitor ICPP patients’ psychosocial problems proactively, and provide targeted interventions to reduce family impact and thereby improve patient HRQoL.
Being Blessed by Qomolangma: The Diversity and Local Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants Used by Chenthang Sherpa People to Treat Seasonal Food Shortage
Authors: Ding Xiaoyong , Zhang Yu , Wang Lu , Zhuang Huifu , Chen Wenyun , Wang Yuhua 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Wild edible plants (WEPs), which are identified as non-cultivated and non-domesticated plants for food. WEPs provided food, nutrition, herbs and other plant products for people in underdeveloped areas, such as the Everest region, to maintain their daily lives. Chenthang Town is the only Sherpa ethnic township in China. The core purpose of this research is to investigate, collect, and record the WEPs and related local knowledge and functions in the Sherpa community. Looking forward to answering the ultimate question, why did Sherpa people choose these plants?
Materials and methods

The field study was carried out in the six Sherpa communities of Chenthang Township from September 2019 to August 2020. The WEPs and related local knowledge were collected by semi-structured interview and direct observation. And the field works were performed with the assistance of local guides. During the field survey, we collected plant specimens based on the principle of one plant with one vernacular name. In this study, we used use-report (UR) and cultural importance index (CI) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs in the daily diet of Sherpa people.
Results

We interviewed 78 people individually who provided us with 1,199 use-reports. In total, we collected 84 WEPs belonging to 62 genera in 40 families. These species were identified into 78 ethno-species by local people, and the vernacular name of each ethno-species was recorded. These use-reports were classified into 6 use-categories. All of these plants were native wild plants. In these plants, Arisaema utile, Sorbus cuspidat and Elaeagnus umbellate have been introduced into home gardens by local people. According to the description of the Sherpa people, we drew a collecting calendar of WEPs. The Sherpa collect WEPs almost throughout the year, except for January and February.
Conclusion

WEPs have made a huge contribution to the Sherpa dietary in supplementing Carbohydrate, nutrition, and healthcare during the seasonal food shortage. In general, the diversity and products and services of WEPs based on local knowledge enhance the resistance and resilience of local food supply system to treat food shortage which might be the answer to why the locals choose these plants.
Intensifying the synthesis of starch nanoparticles using ultrasound-assisted acid hydrolysis method
Authors: Hakke Vikas S , Sonawane Shirish , Manickam Sivakumar , Boufi Sami , Pinjari Dipak V , Babu G Uday Bhaskar , Sonawane Shriram S 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the present study, an intensified approach for the synthesis of starch nanoparticles (SNPs) was demonstrated by using ultrasound-assisted acid hydrolysis method. The conventional acid hydrolysis for the synthesis of SNPs was intensified using ultrasound. The overall time required to convert starch granules to SNPs in the conventional acid hydrolysis method (48 h) was significantly reduced to 45 min by simultaneous acid hydrolysis and ultrasound irradiation. The acid concentration was found to be an important parameter for obtaining the desired size and morphology of the synthesized SNPs. The variation in the surface charges associated with the SNPs was confirmed through measuring their zeta potential. These potential charges on the surface of SNPs induce crystal growth among the synthesized nanoparticles. The irregular crystal morphology at higher acid concentration clearly shows SNPs' attachment with each other by coalescence. The higher crystallinity for SNPs was observed at low acid concentration; however, the lower acid concentration (0.5 M) leads to the smaller particle size of SNPs from 40 to 60 nm, with the overall yield of 23%. The proposed ultrasound method is more efficient and reproducible for the synthesis of SNPs for various applications.
A Dual Target-Directed Single Domain-Based Fusion Protein Against Interleukin-6 Receptor Decelerate Experimental Arthritis Progression Via Modulating JNK Expression
Authors: Chen Xiaole , Bian Yize , Xie Yongqing , Zheng Ningning , Nie Kaimei , Liu Rui , Yan Mengru , Luo Hongbin , Wang He , Yang Juhua , Zhang Nanwen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The currently used anti-cytokine therapeutic antibodies cannot selectively neutralize pathogenic cytokine signalling that cause collateral damage to protective signalling cascades. The single domain chain firstly discovered in Camelidae displays fully functional ability in antigen-binding against variable targets, which has been seemed as attractive candidates for the next-generation biologic drug study. In this study, we established a simple prokaryotic expression system for a dual target-directed single domain-based Fusion Protein against the interleukin-6 receptor and human serum, albumin, the recombinant anti-IL-6R fusion protein (VHH-0031). VHH-0031 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects produced by LPS on cell RAW264.7, where the major cytokines and NO production were down-regulated after 24 hr incubation with VHH-0031 in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, VHH-0031 presented significant effects on the degree reduction of joint swelling in the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat, having a healthier appearance compared to the dexamethasone. The expression level of JNK protein in the VHH-0031 group was significantly decreased, demonstrating that VHH-0031 provides a low-cost and desirable effect in the treatment of more widely patients.
Surgery Prolongs the Survival of Patients with Metastatic, Recurrent, or Unresectable Locally Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Response to Imatinib Mesylate Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Weihao , Peng Jianhong , Li Xinyue , Zhang Rongxin , Xiao Binyi , Tang Jinghua , Wan Desen , Pan Zhizhong , Li Cong , Wu Xiaojun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

The role of surgery in patients with metastatic, recurrent or unresectable locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) who respond to imatinib mesylate (IM) treatment is still not formally defined. Therefore, we systemically searched and analyzed the available literature to evaluate the oncologic benefits of surgery in this specific population.
Methods

A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to identify relevant articles on July 16, 2020. Pooled data analysis was also performed using Review Manager.
Results

Totally 10 studies including 1188 patients (410 patients in the surgery group and 778 patients in the no surgery group) were included in the final analysis. No significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics were found except that patients in the surgery group were significantly younger (WMD, -5.02, 95% CI, -8.38 to -1.67, P = 0.003). In the overall population, pooled data showed a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.73; P < 0.0001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.72; P < 0.0001) with surgery. In the subgroup analysis, the impact of surgery on patient response to IM treatment was further confirmed (OS: HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.81; P < 0.0001; PFS: HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.82; P = 0.009).
Conclusions

Surgery prolongs the OS and PFS of patients with metastatic, recurrent, or unresectable locally advanced GIST who respond to IM treatment. Future prospective, multicenter RCTs are warranted.
Influence of ZrO2 and TiO2 Nano Particles in P(VDF-TrFE) Composite For Energy Harvesting Application
Authors: J Arunguvai , P Lakshmi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Zirconium and Titanium material are used for making PZT piezoelectric ceramic composite. In this article, Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) ceramic fillers with, ferroelectric polymer PolyVinyliDene fluoride-Tri Fluoro Ethylene( P(VDF-TrFE)) forms the ZrO2/P(VDF-TrFE) and TiO2 /P(VDF-TrFE) nano-composite. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDS examine the TiO2, ZrO2 fillers presents in composite. The ceramic fillers molecules Ti 2p and Zr 3d binding energy are confirmed by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Each composite reaches their piezoelectric β- phase are confirmed by Fourier Transform - Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The low surface roughness of the thin-film reaches more flexibility and deformation of cantilever. The ZrO2/P(VDF-TrFE) composite is obtained low average surface value of 10nm in the region of 50µm is measured from Gwyddion software. Natural resonance frequency of ceramic composite reaches 100Hz low frequency is measured by Lased Doppler Vibrometer. The cantilever beam structure energy harvester produces peak to peak output voltage 8.2 V. The harvested output voltage used for electronics devices and sensor applications.
NK Cell Subpopulations and Receptor Expression in Recovering SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: saresella marina , Trabattoni Daria , Marventano Ivana , Piancone Federica , Rosa Francesca La , Caronni Antonio , Lax Agata , Bianchi Luca , Bianchi Paolo , Navarro Jorge , Bolognesi Elisabetta , Zanzottera Milena , Guerini Franca Rosa , Clerici Mario 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Whereas in most cases COVID-19 is asymptomatic or pauci symptomatic, extremely severe clinical forms are observed. In this case complex immune dysregulations and an excessive inflammatory response are observed and are the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Natural Killer cells are key players in the control of viral infection and their activity is regulated by a tight balance between activating and inhibitory receptors; an alteration of NK activity was suggested to be associated with the development of severe forms of COVID-19. In this study we analyzed peripheral NK cell subpopulations and the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors in 30 in-patients suffering from chronic neurological conditions who recovered from mild, moderate or severe SARS-CoV-2 infection comparing the results to those of 10 patients SARS-CoV-2-uninfected patients. Results showed that an expansion of NK subset with lower cytolytic activity and an augmented expression of the 2DL1 inhibitory receptor, particularly when in association with the C2 ligand (KIR2DL1-C2), characterized the immunological scenario of severe COVID-19 infection; an increase of NK expressing the ILT2 inhibitory receptor was instead seen in patients recovering from mild or moderate infection compared to controls. Results herein suggest that the KIR2DL1-C2 NK inhibitory complex is a risk factor toward the development of severe form of COVID-19. Our results confirm that a complex alteration of NK activity is present in COVID-19 infection and offer a molecular explanation for this observation.
Adjustable giant negative electrocaloric effect in Pb1+xZrO3 thin films
Authors: Ye Yi , Huang Fengzhen , Lei Lin , Liu Lin , Yan Shuo , Hu Xueli , Yang Wenjin , Lu Xiaomei , Zhu Jinsong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Electrocaloric effect (ECE) driven by electric field is suitable for implementation of built-in cooling in electronic devices. However, most of the known electrocaloric materials show low adiabatic temperature change ( ) near room temperature and usually require high electric field. Here, the investigation of ECE in Pb 1+x ZrO 3 (x=0, 0.1, 0.15) thin films, which were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates by sol-gel method, reveals that both the magnitude and the present temperature range of can be controlled by Pb concentration. Through increasing the dosage of PbO, decreased lead vacancies and enhanced interface layer are induced, which postpone the transition from antiferroelectrics to ferroelectrics of PbZrO 3 films under a given electric field ( E ), which thus controls the appearance temperature range of negative ECE. As a result, large isothermal entropy change ( and are observed in the temperature range from 260 K to 494 K, depending on the applied electric field and Pb concentration. Giant ECE ( , ~0.054) at room temperature (303 K) is obtained in Pb 1.1 ZrO 3 films under 460 kV/cm. This result provides a convenient method for modulating ECE of PbZrO 3 -based materials and will benefit its applications in cooling devices.
Motion Intent Recognition in Intelligent Lower Limb Prosthesis Using One-Dimensional Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transforms
Authors: Sheng Min , Wang Wanjun , Tong Tingting , Yang Yuanyuan , Chen Huilin , Su Benyue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Most traditional intent recognition methods are to recognizing the movement of lower limb prosthesis through statistical features, which are unstable in short-term signals. The another key problem with recognition of lower limb prosthesis motion intent is to explore the instantaneous change between the two difffferent steady modes. Based on the above considerations, the one-dimensional dual-tree complex wavelet transform(1D-DTCWT) is introduced for motion intent recognition in intelligent prosthesis. Methods: 1D-DTCWT adopts two-way complex wavelet transforms with a binary tree structure as functional data analysis (FDA) method that preserves the time-frequency local analysis capabilities of wavelet transforms while maintaining translation invariance and direction selection. Therefore, the 1D-DTCWT can amplify the instantaneous change information hidden in the data while retaining the continuity of the motion behavior, so as to better recognize the motion intention. Furthermore, the feature vector composed of low-frequency wavelet coeffiffifficients decomposed by 1D-DTCWT is classifified and recognized by support vector machine (SVM), which can effffectively classify and recognize the motion intent of the unilateral lower limb amputees. Results: The data of the experiment comes from ten able-bodied subjects and one amputee subject to analyze 5 steady modes, 8 transitional modes, and 13 total motion modes adopting user-dependent and user-independent methods. The experimental results from the user-dependent methods show that the recognition rate for able-bodied subjects reached 98.91%, 98.92%, and 97.27% for the movement modes of steady modes, transitional modes, and total motion modes, respectively. The recognition rate of the amputee subject reached 100%, 91.16%, and 89.27%, respectively, for the three modes. Conclusions: The method in this paper can effffectively solve the problem of short-term signal instability reflflected by traditional statistical feature recognition of motion intent and explore the instantaneous change information of transitional modes while retaining the continuity of the motion behavior.
Identification of Methylation Markers for Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Zhang Bei , Hu Xiaoyuan , Li Yuefei , Ni Yongkang , Xue Lin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a hereditary heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and speech dysplasia. We collected the expression profiles of ASD in GSE26415, GSE42133 and GSE123302, as well as methylation data of GSE109905. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ASD and controls were obtained by differential expression analysis. Enrichment analysis identified the biological functions and signaling pathways involved by common genes in three groups of DEGs. PPI networks were used to identify genes with the highest connectivity as key genes. In addition, we identified methylation markers by associating differentially methylated positions (DMPs). Key methylation markers were identified using the LASSO model. ROC curves and nomograms were used to identify the diagnostic role of key methylation markers for ASD. A total of 57 common genes were identified in the three groups of DEGs. These genes were mainly enriched in Sphingolipid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway. In the PPI network, we identified seven key genes with higher connectivity, and used qPCR experiments to verify the expressions. In addition, we identified 31 methylation markers and screened 3 key methylation markers (RUNX2, IMMP2L and MDM2) by LASSO model. They all had good diagnostic effects on ASD, and their methylation levels were closely related to the risk of ASD. Our analysis identified RUNX2, IMMP2L and MDM2 as possible diagnostic markers for ASD. Identifying different biomarkers and risk genes will contribute to the early diagnosis of ASD and the development of new clinical and drug treatments.