bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coculture with hemicellulose-fermenting microbes reverses inhibition of corn fiber solubilization by Clostridium thermocellum at elevated solids loadings
Authors: Beri Dhananjay , Herring Christopher D. , Blahova Sofie , Poudel Suresh , Giannone Richard J. , Hettich Robert L. , Lynd Lee R. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
The cellulolytic thermophile Clostridium thermocellum is an important biocatalyst due to its ability to solubilize lignocellulosic feedstocks without the need for pretreatment or exogenous enzyme addition. At low concentrations of substrate, C. thermocellum can solubilize corn fiber > 95% in 5 days, but solubilization declines markedly at substrate concentrations higher than 20 g/L. This differs for model cellulose like Avicel, on which the maximum solubilization rate increases in proportion to substrate concentration. The goal of this study was to examine fermentation at increasing corn fiber concentrations and investigate possible reasons for declining performance.

Results
The rate of growth of C. thermocellum on corn fiber, inferred from CipA scaffoldin levels measured by LC–MS/MS, showed very little increase with increasing solids loading. To test for inhibition, we evaluated the effects of spent broth on growth and cellulase activity. The liquids remaining after corn fiber fermentation were found to be strongly inhibitory to growth on cellobiose, a substrate that does not require cellulose hydrolysis. Additionally, the hydrolytic activity of C. thermocellum cellulase was also reduced to less-than half by adding spent broth. Noting that > 15 g/L hemicellulose oligosaccharides accumulated in the spent broth of a 40 g/L corn fiber fermentation, we tested the effect of various model carbohydrates on growth on cellobiose and Avicel. Some compounds like xylooligosaccharides caused a decline in cellulolytic activity and a reduction in the maximum solubilization rate on Avicel. However, there were no relevant model compounds that could replicate the strong inhibition by spent broth on C. thermocellum growth on cellobiose. Cocultures of C. thermocellum with hemicellulose-consuming partners—Herbinix spp. strain LL1355 and Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum—exhibited lower levels of unfermented hemicellulose hydrolysis products, a doubling of the maximum solubilization rate, and final solubilization increased from 67 to 93%.

Conclusions
This study documents inhibition of C. thermocellum with increasing corn fiber concentration and demonstrates inhibition of cellulase activity by xylooligosaccharides, but further work is needed to understand why growth on cellobiose was inhibited by corn fiber fermentation broth. Our results support the importance of hemicellulose-utilizing coculture partners to augment C. thermocellum in the fermentation of lignocellulosic feedstocks at high solids loading.
The miR-204-5p/FOXC1/GDF7 axis regulates the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells via the AKT and p38 signalling pathways
Authors: Zhou You , Liu Siyu , Wang Wei , Sun Qiang , Lv Mengzhu , Yang Shude , Tong Shuang , Guo Shu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are stem cells with the potential to differentiate in multiple directions. miR-204-5p is expressed at low levels during the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs, and its specific regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the function and possible molecular mechanism of miR-204-5p in the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs.

Methods
The expression patterns of miR-204-5p, Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) and growth differentiation factor 7 (GDF7) in hADSCs during osteogenesis were detected by qRT-PCR. Then, ALP and alizarin red staining (ARS) were used to detect osteoblast activities and mineral deposition. Western blotting was conducted to confirm the protein levels. The regulatory relationship among miR-204-5p, FOXC1 and GDF7 was verified by dual-luciferase activity and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays.

Results
miR-204-5p expression was downregulated in hADSC osteogenesis, and overexpression of miR-204-5p suppressed osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, the levels of FOXC1 and GDF7 were decreased in the miR-204-5p mimics group, which indicates that miR-204-5p overexpression suppresses the expression of FOXC1 and GDF7 by binding to their 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs). Overexpression of FOXC1 or GDF7 improved the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs induced by the miR-204-5p mimics. Moreover, FOXC1 was found to bind to the promoter of miR-204-5p and GDF7, promote the deacetylation of miR-204-5p and reduce the expression of miR-204-5p, thus promoting the expression of GDF7 during osteogenic differentiation. GDF7 induced hADSC osteogenesis differentiation by activating the AKT and P38 signalling pathways.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that the miR-204-5p/FOXC1/GDF7 axis regulates the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs via the AKT and p38 signalling pathways. This study further revealed the regulatory mechanism of hADSC differentiation from the perspective of miRNA regulation.
Generic SDE and GA-based workload modeling for cloud systems
Authors: St-Onge Cédric , Benmakrelouf Souhila , Kara Nadjia , Tout Hanine , Edstrom Claes , Rabipour Rafi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWorkload models are typically built based on user and application behavior in a system, limiting them to specific domains. Undoubtedly, such a practice creates a dilemma in a cloud computing (cloud) environment, where a wide range of heterogeneous applications are running and many users have access to these resources. The workload model in such an infrastructure must adapt to the evolution of the system configuration parameters, such as job load fluctuation. The aim of this work is to propose an approach that generates generic workload models (1) which are independent of user behavior and the applications running in the system, and can fit any workload domain and type, (2) model sharp workload variations that are most likely to appear in cloud environments, and (3) with high degree of fidelity with respect to observed data, within a short execution time. We propose two approaches for workload estimation, the first being a Hull-White and Genetic Algorithm (GA) combination, while the second is a Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Kalman-filter combination. Thorough experiments are conducted on real CPU and throughput datasets from virtualized IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Web and cloud environments to study the efficiency of both propositions. The results show a higher accuracy for the Hull-White-GA approach with marginal overhead over the SVR-Kalman-Filter combination.
Bloodstream infections caused by ST2 Acinetobacter baumannii: risk factors, antibiotic regimens, and virulence over 6 years period in China
Authors: Yu Kaihang , Zeng Weiliang , Xu Ye , Liao Wenli , Xu Wenya , Zhou Tieli , Cao Jianming , Chen Lijiang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) has been increasingly observed among hospitalized patients. The following study analyzed the epidemiology and microbiological characteristics of MDR-AB, as well as the clinical features, antimicrobial treatments, and outcomes in patients over a six years period in China.

Methods
This retrospective study was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in China between January 2013 and December 2018. The clinical and microbiological data of all consecutive hospitalized patients with MDR-AB induced bloodstream infection were included and analyzed.

Results
A total of 108 BSI episodes were analyzed. All MDR isolates belonged to ST2, a sequence type that has spread all over the world. Overall, ST2 strains showed strong biofilm formation ability, high serum resistance, and high pathogenicity. As for the clinical characteristics of the patient, 30-day mortality was 69.4% (75/108). The three main risk factors included mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and thrombocytopenia; three protective factors included a change of antimicrobial regimen within 48 h after positive blood culture, use of the antibacterial agent combination, and more inpatient days. The most effective antibacterial regimen was the combination of cefoperazone/sulbactam and tigecycline.

Conclusions
BSI caused by ST2 A.baumannii represents a difficult challenge for physicians, considering the high mortality associated with this infection. The combination of cefoperazone/sulbactam and tigecycline may be an effective treatment option.
Riverbank erosion and migration inter-linkage: with special focus on Assam, India
Authors: Dekaraja Dimpal , Mahanta Ratul 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Riverbank erosion becomes a vulnerable phenomenon in the bank of the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. Around 17 riverine districts of Assam are affected by riverbank erosion and lost a large plot of land. Due to riverbank erosion the victims’ loss their homestead and crop land as well as their survival strategy in the eroded areas. Moreover, farmers largely affected due to riverbank erosion as they loss their sources of income. This forces the farmer to migrate to another place for their survival. The paper examines the linkage between river bank erosion and migration based on secondary information.

Method
To examine the linkage, information collected from government published sources ‘Census of India’ and ‘Statistical handbook of Assam’. On the basis of the information, 10 indicators constructed from 26 variables and then factor analysis method applied to examine the linkage between riverbank erosion and migration.

Results
Four variables that are agricultural worker, industrial worker, cropped area and livestock population are loaded into the first factor, for which the first factor is labeled as the socio-economic indicator. In case of second factor the two variables i.e. Migrational Growth Index (MGI) and urban population are loaded. On the basis of the loaded variables this factor labeled as demographic indicator. In case of third factor also two variables are loaded that is, Natural Growth Index (NGI) and Literacy rate. The loaded variables indicate that both NGI and Literacy rate are positively related. Two variables are loaded in this fourth factor i.e. river bank eroded area and the district population growth. This factor labeled as environmental indicator on the basis of the variables loaded in this factor. The factor correlation matrix indicates the opposite relation between first and fourth factor.

Conclusion
The results obtained from Factor component analysis reveals that the first and fourth factor component mainly established the linkage between riverbank erosion and migration. Besides this the component correlation matrix also reveals the inter-linkage between the variables. Thus we can say that there is positive relation between riverbank erosion and migration. However, it can be interpret that farmers mostly affected due to riverbank erosion and migrate more, because most of the inhabitants of the floodplain areas are the farmers.
An environmental study of tracheostomy on eight COVID-19 patients
Authors: Xu Kai , Zhang Xin-Hao , Long Xiao-Bo , Lu Xiang , Liu Zheng 
Published: January 2021

Background Tracheostomy, as an aerosol-generating procedure, is considered as a high-risk surgery for health care workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Current recommendations are to perform tracheostomy after a period of intubation of > 14 days, with two consecutive negative throat swab tests, to lower the risk of contamination to HCWs. However, specific data for this recommendation are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate viral shedding into the environment, including HCWs, associated with bedside tracheostomy in the intensive care unit. Methods Samples obtained from the medical environment immediately after tracheostomy, including those from 19 surfaces, two air samples at 10 and 50 cm from the surgical site, and from the personal protective equipment (PPE) of the surgeon and assistant, were tested for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in eight cases of bedside tracheostomy. We evaluated the rate of positive tests from the different samples obtained. Results Positive samples were identified in only one of the eight cases. These were obtained for the air sample at 10 cm and from the bed handrail and urine bag. There were no positive test results from the PPE samples. The patient with positive samples had undergone early tracheostomy, at 9 days after intubation, due to a comorbidity. Conclusions Our preliminary results indicate that delayed tracheostomy, after an extended period of endotracheal intubation, might be a considerably less contagious procedure than early tracheostomy (defined as < 14 days after intubation).
Spreading of TDP-43 pathology via pyramidal tract induces ALS-like phenotypes in TDP-43 transgenic mice
Authors: Ding Xuebing , Xiang Zhi , Qin Chi , Chen Yongkang , Tian Haiyan , Meng Lin , Xia Danhao , Liu Han , Song Jia , Fu Jun , Ma Mingming , Wang Xuejing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTransactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) has been identified as the major component of ubiquitinated inclusions found in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Increasing evidence suggests prion-like transmission of TDP-43 aggregates via neuroanatomic connection in vitro and pyramidal tract in vivo. However, it is still unknown whether the spreading of pathological TDP-43 sequentially via pyramidal tract can initiate ALS-like pathology and phenotypes. In this study, we reported that injection of TDP-43 preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the primary motor cortex (M1) of Thy1-e (IRES-TARDBP) 1 mice induced the spreading of pathological TDP-43 along pyramidal tract axons anterogradely. Moreover, TDP-43 PFFs-injected Thy1-e (IRES-TARDBP) 1 mice displayed ALS-like neuropathological features and symptoms, including motor dysfunctions and electrophysiological abnormalities. These findings provide direct evidence that transmission of pathological TDP-43 along pyramidal tract induces ALS-like phenotypes, which further suggest the potential mechanism for TDP-43 proteinopathy.
GaS_GeoT: A computer program for an effective use of newly improved gas geothermometers in predicting reliable geothermal reservoir temperatures
Authors: Acevedo-Anicasio A. , Santoyo E. , Pérez-Zárate D. , Pandarinath Kailasa , Guevara M. , Díaz-González L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA geochemometric study based on a multi-criteria decision analysis was applied, for the first time, for the optimal evaluation and selection of artificial neural networks, and the prediction of geothermal reservoir temperatures. Eight new gas geothermometers (GasG1to GasG8) were derived from this study. For an effective and practical application of these geothermometers, a new computer program GaS_GeoT was developed. The prediction efficiency of the new geothermometers was compared with temperature estimates inferred from twenty-five existing geothermometers using gas-phase compositions of fluids from liquid- (LIQDR) and vapour-dominated (VAPDR) reservoirs. After applying evaluation statistical metrics (DIFF%, RMSE, MAE, MAPE, and the Theil's U test) to the temperature estimates obtained by using all the geothermometers, the following inferences were accomplished: (1) the new eight gas geothermometers (GasG1to GasG8) provided reliable and systematic temperature estimates with performance wise occupying the first eight positions for LIQDR; (2) the GasG3and GasG1geothermometers exhibited consistency as the best predictor models by occupying the first two positions over all the geothermometers for VAPDR; (3) the GasG3geothermometer exhibited a wider applicability, and a better prediction efficiency over all geothermometers in terms of a large number of samples used (up to 96% and 85% for LIQDR and VAPDR, respectively), and showed the smallest differences between predicted and measured temperatures in VAPDR and LIQDR; and lastly (4) for the VAPDR, the existing geothermometers ND84c, A98c, and ND98b sometimes showed a better prediction than some of the new gas geothermometers, except for GasG3and GasG1. These results indicate that the new gas geothermometers may have the potential to become one of the most preferred tools for the estimation of the reservoir temperatures in geothermal systems.
The effect of vitamin K on prothrombin time in critically ill patients: an observational registry study
Authors: Dahlberg Sofia , Schött Ulf , Kander Thomas 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have indicated that vitamin K deficiency is common in non-bleeding critically ill patients with slightly prolonged prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR). It has never been investigated thoroughly whether the administration of vitamin K to these patients could affect their PT-INR. Therefore, the aim of this registry study was to evaluate changes in PT-INR in response to vitamin K in critically ill patients with PT-INR in the range of 1.3–1.9.

Methods
Patients admitted to a mixed 9-bed general intensive care unit at a University Hospital, between 2013 and 2019 (n = 4541) with a PT-INR between 1.3 and 1.9 at any time during the stay were identified. Patients who received vitamin K with appropriate sampling times for PT-INR and without exclusion criteria were matched with propensity score to patients from the same cohort who did not receive vitamin K (controls). PT-INR was measured at admission, within 12 h before vitamin K administration and 12–36 h following vitamin K administration. Exclusion criteria included pre-existing liver cirrhosis, any plasma or platelet transfusion, or > 1 unit red blood cell transfusion between PT-INR samplings.

Results
Propensity score matching resulted in two groups of patients with 129 patients in each group. PT-INR decreased in both groups (1.4 [1.3–1.4] in the vitamin K group and 1.4 [1.3–1.6] in the controls, p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). The decrease in PT-INR was slightly more pronounced in patients who received vitamin K (delta PT-INR − 0.10 [− 0.30 to − 0.10] in the vitamin K group and − 0.10 [− 0.20 to 0.10] in the controls, p = 0.01).

Conclusion
In critically ill patients with a PT-INR of 1.3–1.9, the administration of vitamin K resulted in a slightly larger decrease of PT-INR 12–36 h after administration compared to controls. Future studies should focus on identifying which patient populations may benefit most from vitamin K administration as well as whether vitamin K could be a better alternative than plasma or prothrombin complex concentrate to improve PT-INR before non-emergent invasive procedures.
A comparison and analysis of seven gun law permissiveness scales
Authors: Reeping Paul M. , Morrison Christopher N. , Rudolph Kara E. , Goyal Monika K. , Branas Charles C. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Due to the differences in the way gun law permissiveness scales were created and speculation about the politically motivated underpinnings of the various scales, there have been questions about their reliability.

Methods
We compared seven gun law permissiveness scales, varying by type and sources, for an enhanced understanding of the extent to which choice of a gun law permissiveness scale could affect studies related to gun violence outcomes in the United States. Specifically, we evaluated seven different scales: two rankings, two counts, and three scores, arising from a range of sources. We calculated Spearman correlation coefficients for each pair of scales compared. Cronbach’s standardized alpha and Guttman’s lambda were calculated to evaluate the relative reliability of the scales, and we re-calculated Cronbach’s alpha after systematically omitting each scale to assess whether the omitted scale contributed to lower internal consistency between scales. Factor analysis was used to determine single factor loadings and estimates. We also assessed associations between permissiveness of gun laws and total firearm deaths and suicides in multivariable regression analyses.

Results
All pairs of scales were highly correlated (average Spearman’s correlation coefficient r = 0.77) and had high relative reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.968, Guttman’s lambda = 0.975). All scales load onto a single factor. The choice of scale did not meaningfully change the parameter estimates for the associations between permissiveness of gun laws and gun deaths and suicides.

Conclusion
Gun law permissiveness scales are highly correlated despite any perceived political agenda, and the choice of gun law permissiveness scale has little effect on study conclusions related to gun violence outcomes.
Spatio-temporal characteristics of frictional properties on the subducting Pacific Plate off the east of Tohoku district, Japan estimated from stress drops of small earthquakes
Authors: Yamada Takuji , Duan Meitong , Kawahara Jun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe east coast of the Tohoku district, Japan has a high seismicity, including aftershocks of the 2011 M9 Tohoku earthquake. We analyzed 1142 earthquakes with$$4.4 \le M_{W} \le 5.0$$4.4≤MW≤5.0that occurred in 2003 through 2018 and obtained spatio-temporal pattern of stress drop on the Pacific Plate that subducts beneath the Okhotsk Plate. Here we show that small earthquakes at edges of a region with a large slip during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake had high values of stress drop, indicating that the areas had a high frictional strength and suppressed the coseismic slip of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In addition, stress drops of small earthquakes in some of the areas likely decreased after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. This indicates that the frictional strength decreased at the areas due to the following aftershocks of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, consistent with a high aftershock activity. This also supports that the frictional properties on a subducting plate interface can be monitored by stress drops of small earthquakes, as pointed out by some previous studies.