bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Turkish Norms of Psychometric Tests For Diagnosing Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy and Proposal of a Simplified Paper Pencil Test Battery
Authors: Özbaş Burak , Keskin Onur , Hecker Hartmut , Karahan İrfan , Özbaş Cansu , Kalkan Çağdaş , Kartal Aysun , Önder Fatih Oğuz , Öncü Burcu Kahveci , Gençdal Genco , Akyildiz Murat , Günşar Fulya , Idilman Ramazan , Weissenborn Karin , Özütemiz Ömer , Yurdaydin Cihan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) needs standardization for countries and is used for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (mHE) diagnosis. Assessing it is cumbersome.Aims: To standardize PHES for Turkish patients and compare it with German norms; to determine mHE prevalence with two different methods and to assess whether the PHES test can be simplified.Methods: Healthy volunteers (n=816; 400 male) and cirrhotics (n=124; 58 male) were included. PHES score threshold was set at ≤-5 points and that of critical flicker frequency (CFF) at <39 Hz for mHE diagnosis. For comparing German and Turkish norms, datasets were combined. Multiple backward procedure was applied. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created for assessing diagnostic capabilities of single subtests of the PHES test. Results: Turkish norms displayed non-linear dependence on age and education. Rate of mHE in compensated cirrhotics was 29.8% and 27.4% with PHES and CFF tests, respectively. Compatibility of two tests was low (kappa coefficient 0.389); mHE prevalence decreased to 16% when both tests were combined. Turks performed worse vs Germans in the digit symbol (DS) and serial dotting (SD) subtests but generally performed better in the other subtests. In ROC analyzes of subtests, AUROC was 0.974 for DS+SD tests combined. Conclusions: PHES norms for Turks were developed. Use of 2 methods for diagnosing mHE may be important for research purposes. From a clinical perspective sensitivity with acceptable specificity may suffice. Combined use of DS and SD subtests of the PHES battery may well be suited for use in clinical practice.
Loading Harmine On Nanographene Changes The Inhibitory Effects of Free Harmine Against MCF7 and Fibroblast Cells
Authors: Mortazavi Newsha , Heidari Mahboobeh , Rabiei Zohreh , tahmasebi sattar , Monazzah Maryam 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Today cancer is one of the main causes of death all over the world. Chemotherapy, which is one of the main therapies in the treatment of cancer, causes several side effects by damaging healthy cells. Therefore, carbon nanomaterial systems have been developed to optimize therapeutics procedures with the least negative consequences. Targeting nanographene oxide (NGO) with folic acid (FA) molecules allows the recognition of MCF-7 cells, which are folic acid receptor (FR) positive. Harmine is a pharmacologically active secondary metabolite that is produced by Peganum harmala. It is found that this metabolite induces apoptosis to human breast cancer cell lines by intercalating DNA molecules. In this study, harmine was loaded on FA-NGO (FA-NGO/harmine) via π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions and the cytotoxicity against MCF-7, as FR positive cancerous cell, and fibroblast cells, as normal FR negative cell, were investigated. The in vitro studies illustrated that FA-NGO/harmine have remarkably higher cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, about 60% cell loss, in comparison with free harmine with 40% cell loss (in the concentration of 40 μg. mL-1). However, the released amount of harmine into normal fibroblast cells was considerably low, only 28% cell loss in dose of 40 μg. mL-1. Our results suggest that the controlled release of harmine into FR positive cancerous cells might have a substantially high cytotoxicity effect.
Effect Judicial Independence on the Foreign Direct Investment in South and South-East Asian Countries
Authors: Mohammadf Faruque 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Judicial Independence is one of the most important characteristics of quality and well functioning judiciary. Efficient and independent courts play crucial role to enforce contract and property rights efficiently and impartially, ensure individual liberty and create favorable environment for domestic as well as foreign investment and facilitate the economic development. It is proved that de facto judicial independence has a robust highly significant impact on economic growth. Foreign Direct Investment, a source of capital and an element of globalization plays an important role in the economic development of the countries. It is one of important source of capital which stimulate domestic investment, creates new employment and expedites the transfer of technology. The objective of this study is to examine whether judicial independence has an impact to attract foreign direct investment in south and south-east asia region.
A Novel Approach for Design and Investigation of Dual Material Stack Gate Oxide TFET using Oxide Strip Layer Mechanism
Authors: Nigam Kaushal , Nishad Dharmender 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this paper, for the first time, we use a distinctive approach based on oxide strip layer in dual material stack gate oxide-tunnel field-effect transistor (DMSGO-OSL-TFET) to improve the DC, analog/RF, and linearity performance. For this, a stack gate oxide with workfunction is considered to enhance the ONstate current (ION ) and reduce the ambipolar current (Iamb). For this case, the gate electrode is tri-segmented, named as tunnel gate (M1), control gate (M2) and auxiliary gate (M3) with different gate lengths (L1, L2, L3) and work functions (φ1, φ2, φ3), respectively. To maintain dual-work functionality, the possible combinations of these work functions are considered. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations are performed and noted that the workfunction combination (φ1 = φ3 < φ2) outperforms compared to other structures. Where φ1 on the source side is used to enhance the ION , while φ3 (equal to φ1) is used on the drain side to minimize the Iamb. To further enhance the device performance, a high-K oxide strip layer is considered on the drain side to suppress the (Iamb) whereas, a low-K oxide strip layer is used at the source junction to maximize the ION . Moreover, length of gate segments, oxide strip layer height, and thickness are optimized to achieve a better ION , switching ratio, subthreshold swing (SS) and reduce the (Iamb) which helps in the gain of device and design of analog/RF circuits. The proposed device as compared to dual material control gate-oxide strip layer-TFET (DMCG-OSL-TFET) shows improvement in ION /IOF F (∼ 4.23 times), 84 % increase in transconductance (gm), 136 % increase in cut-off frequency (fT ), 126 % increase in gain bandwidth product (GBP), point subthreshold swing (15.8 mV/decade) and other significant improvements in linearity performance parameters such as gm3, VIP3, IIP3, IMD3 making the proposed device useful for low power switching, analog/RF and linearity applications.
Production of Electricity and Improved Conversion Efficiency By Using Ionic Liquid in Photogalvanic Cell
Authors: Bendary Samar H. , Betiha Mohamed A. , Mahmoud Sawsan A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Surfactant were widely applied in photogalvanic cells (PGC), and a limited number of studies have reported to used ionic liquid (IL), although it has more advantages than the conventional surfactants due to their specific chemical and physical properties such as the high electrolytic properties, the strong hydrophobic interactions between Cnmim+ and hydrophobic portion of other surfactant and co-surfactant behavior. In this work, Synthesis of IL Diethyl ammonium tetrachloro ferrate (DATF) was done through two step method. The composition of the produced IL was investigated by FTIR and 1HNMR spectra techniques. IL was known as a salt in the liquid state or a salt with melting point below the boiling point of water. PGC can be described as an electrochemical cell, where the change in both voltage and current results from photochemically generated changes in the proportional concentrations of the reactants during the oxidation-reduction reaction in the cell. The present study has shown electrical cell performance of the PGC as PPP 96.2μW, iSC 370 μA, VOC 650 mV, η 1.9 %, and t0.5 105 minutes, for PGC system containing Tris (2,2'-bipyrdyl) Ruthenium (II) chloride hexahydrate (TBRC) as photosensitize, Oxalic acid (OX) as reductant and (DATF) as IL under artificial and low illumination intensities, this system not yet reported in the literature. The study of variation of the different cell parameters has shown optimum cell performance at an optimal value of these cell fabrication parameters, and a preliminary mechanism for the production of energy in PGC was also proposed.
Dielectric Properties and Impedance Spectroscopy of RF Sputtered Nanocrystalline (Mg0.95Zn0.05)TiO3 Films for Electronic Applications
Authors: Gogoi Pallabi , PNVVL Pramila Rani , Emmanuel K A , Singh L Robindro , D Pamu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Oxide thin films attracted significant attention because of their favorable responses, especially dielectric and stable electrical properties. In this study, nanocrystalline (Mg0.95Zn0.05)TiO3 (MZT) films are deposited on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si and quartz substrates by radio-frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering. The effect of deposition gas ratio, i.e., the proportion of oxygen and argon (O2/Ar) on broad band and microwave dielectric properties and impedance spectroscopy of MZT films are investigated. The dielectric properties showed a wide range of variation with the different O2/Ar ratios. The MZT film deposited in a pure oxygen environment showed the best dielectric properties, and the plasma survived which shows that the target is not fully oxidized. The impedance spectroscopy of the film deposited under a pure oxygen environment exhibited the single semi-circular arc. The Ag/ MZT/Pt thin films capacitors exhibited the best dielectric constant with low loss tangent. The microwave dielectric constant measured at different spot frequencies in the GHz range displayed inferior dielectric response as compared to their bulk counterparts. An equivalent circuit model to explain the Nyquist plots of MZT films are worked out. The observed electrical and dielectric characteristics of the thin films suggest interesting applications in dielectric mirror and integrated circuits.
Comparative Activities of Sitafloxacin Against Recent Clinical Isolates in Hospitals Across China
Authors: Wu Shi , Yang Yang , Guo Yan , Yin Dandan , Zheng Yonggui , Han Renru , Ding Li , Zhu Demei , Hu Fupin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Sitafloxacin is one of the newer generation fluoroquinolones. Considering the ever-changing antimicrobial resistance, it is necessary to monitor the activities of sitafloxacin against recent pathogenic isolates. Therefore, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sitafloxacin and comparators by broth microdilution or agar dilution method against 1101 clinical isolates collected from 2017 to 2019 in 31 hospitals across China. Sitafloxacin was highly active against gram-positive isolates evidenced by the MICs required to inhibit the growth of 50%/90% isolates (MIC50/90): ≤ 0.03/0.25, ≤ 0.03/0.125, ≤ 0.03/2, 0.125/0.25, 0.25/2, and 0.125/0.125 mg/L for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MSCNS), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant CNS, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, respectively. Sitafloxacin inhibited 82.8% of the MRSA strains and 97.5% of MRCNS strains. Sitafloxacin was also potent against ciprofloxacin-susceptible Escherichia coli (MIC50/90: ≤ 0.03/0.06 mg/L) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC50/90: ≤ 0.03/0.125 mg/L), non-ESBL-producing E. coli (MIC50/90: ≤ 0.03/1 mg/L) and K. pneumoniae (MIC50/90: ≤ 0.03/0.5 mg/L), Haemophilus influenzae (MIC50/90: ≤0.015/0.06 mg/L), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (MIC50/90: 0.125/0.5 mg/L), Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC50/90: ≤ 0.015/≤ 0.015 mg/L), Bacteroides fragilis (MIC50/90: 0.06/2 mg/L), Peptostreptococcus (MIC50/90: 0.125/4 mg/L), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (≤ 0.03/≤ 0.03 mg/L). However, sitafloxacin was less active for E. faecium, ciprofloxacin-resistant and/or ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains. Sitafloxacin was superior or comparable to most of the comparators in activities against the above-mentioned isolates. So sitafloxacin is still highly active against most of the clinical isolates in hospitals across China, proving its utility in treatment of the above-mentioned susceptible strains.
Impact of Climate Change Adaptation on Food Security: Evidence from Semi-Arid Lands, Kenya
Authors: Ndiritu S. Wagura , Muricho Geoffrey 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The paper investigates the impact of climate change adaptation on food security in the Semi-Arid parts of Kenya. Our research used a sample of 440 households, and an endogenous Switching regression is estimated to account for the heterogeneity in the decision to adapt or not, and for unobservable characteristics of pastoralists. We examined how pastoralists’ decision to adapt, that is to implement a set of strategies; storage/purchase of fodder, change in water management, partial shift to other livelihoods, banking livestock assets and herd management. The results demonstrate that climate change adaptation increases food security among pastoralists significantly. Pastoralists who have not adapted are seven percentage points more likely to be food secure if they had adapted to climate change while adopters are 27 percentage points likely to be food insecure if they had not adapted. The paper recommends the strengthening of policies on adaptation to climate change in the Semi-Arid lands where pastoralism is the primary means of livelihood. Although pastoralists have information on the effect of climate change on their livestock, incomplete information on the mechanism of adaptation remains a hurdle. Consistent climate change monitoring, timely warning systems and communication of pertinent information to pastoralists is fundamental.
A Self-healing Hydrogel Electrolyte Towards All-in-one Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Wen-Bin , Zhu Ke-Hu , Ye Shi-Fang , Wang Yao , Guo Lin , Tao Xue-Yu , Guo Li-Tong , Fan He-Liang , Liu Zhang-Sheng , Zhu Ya-Bo , Wei Xian-Yong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The autonomously self-healable all-in-one supercapacitor is prepared by in situ rapid polymerization of electrode materials on the surface of self-healing poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel electrolyte containing sulphuric acid (H2SO4). The self-healing PVA electrolyte has been achieved by physical interaction, in which dynamic hydrogen bonds between PVA chains can readily break and reform, allowing PVA hydrogel electrolyte to self-heal and regain its mechanical and electrochemical properties. The obtained PVA hydrogel displays fast self-healing capability, reliable mechanical performance (stress at 290 KPa after stretching to 238 %) and high ionic conductivity (57.8 mS cm− 1). Based on these excellent properties, an all-in-one supercapacitor with self-healing characteristics is assembled by in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of self-healable PVA electrolyte. The self-healable all-in-one supercapacitor exhibits specific capacitance 470 mF cm− 2 at current density of 0.2 mA cm− 2 and energy density 32 µWh cm− 2 at power density 100 µW cm− 2. The broken device can be repaired itself and there is a 63% capacitance retention for the healable supercapacitor. This self-healing supercapacitor will promote the development of self-healing energy storage devices in wearable electronics.
Preparation, Raman Spectroscopy, Surface Morphology and Optical Properties of TiPcCl2 Nanostructured Films: Thickness Effect
Authors: Hamdalla Taymour , Darwish A.A.A. , Al-Ghamdi S.A. , Alzahrani Ahmed Obaid M. , El-Zaidia E.F.M. , Alamrani Nasser A. , Elblbesy Mohamed A. , Yahia I.S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Phthalocyanines are of a broad interest in photovoltaic applications. In this study, films of titanium-phthalocyanine-chloride (TiPcCl2) were prepared by the thermal evaporation method. The molecular structure was studied by Raman spectrometer, showing a match between the spectra of the powder and the prepared films. The films' surface was examined by the atomic force microscope, revealing grain size and surface roughness of TiPcCl2 thin films to be 223 and 41 nm, respectively, for a 100 nm thickness. The energy gap was determined to be 1.5 eV, with no observable effect by the thickness change. Additionally, the linear and nonlinear optical constants were calculated from reflectance and transmittance measurements. The values of third nonlinear susceptibility are in order of 10− 12 esu, which is compatible with other phthalocyanines. The nonlinear optical constants indicate that TiPcCl2 films could also be used for optical laser limiters.
Effect of BDNF on Differentiation of Circulating Th17 and Treg Cells in SLE Patients and Exploration of Signal Transduction Pathways
Authors: Tian Bailing , Hou Xiaoyu , Zhao Mengmeng 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) is mainly derived from lymphocytes. The serum BDNF level in SLE is decreased, and BDNF may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Our aim is to determine whether BDNF affects the differentiation of CD4+T cells into regulatory T(Treg) or T helper 17(Th17). 30 patients were selected. TGF-β and IL-6 were added to induce differentiation of Treg and Th17. After co-cultured with BDNF, the percentages of CD4+CD25+CD127low and CD4+IL-17A+ were detected by Flow cytometry, and the expression of Foxp3mRNA and RORγtmRNA were detected by Rt-PCR. Under the condition of Th17 and Treg polarization, after co-cultured with BDNF and TrkB IgG, the phosphorylation of Akt, mTORC1 and ERK1/2 were detected by western-blot, the percentages of CD4+CD25+CD127low and CD4+IL-17A+ were detected by Flow cytometry. Under the condition of Th17 polarization, with the increase of BDNF concentration(60ng/ml, 120ng/ml, 350ng/ml), the percentages of CD4+IL-17A+ and the expression of RORγtmRNA were decreased(p<0.01; p<0.001). Under the condition of Treg polarization, the percentages of CD4+CD25+CD127low and the expression of Foxp3mRNA were increased(p<0.001). Regardless of Th17 or Treg polarization, the phosphorylation of Akt, mTORC1 and ERK1/2 in the BDNF group were reduced(p<0.001), and the phosphorylation of Akt, mTORC1 in the TrkBIgG group were enhanced(p<0.001). BDNF down-regulates the differentiation of Th17 and promotes the differentiation of Treg in SLE through inhibiting the activation of PI3K-Akt-mTORC1 axis and ERK1/2 pathway. BDNF could play a certain role in maintaining the balance of Treg/Th17 ratio in SLE.
A New Approach to The Pathogenesis of Down Syndrome: An Integrated Quantitative Neuro-Transcriptome Analysis of Several Brain Areas in Human Trisomy 21.
Authors: Rodriguez-Ortiz Alejandra , Villegas Julio Cesar Montoya , Sánchez-Gomez Adalberto , Soto José María Satizábal , Mina-Paz Yecid , García-Vallejo Felipe 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Although Down syndrome (DS) is a trisomy of chromosome 21 being the most frequent human chromosomal disorder mainly associated with variable levels of intellectual disability and other dysfunctions, the only dose disbalance effect would not enough to explain its genetic and functional complexity neurophenotype. In this context, we aimed to analyze and compare the disruption of transcriptome of several brain areas from individuals with DS and euploid controls as a new approach to consider a global systemic differential disruption of gene expression beyond of chromosome 21. Methodology: To perform the analysis carried out in the present study, we used data from a DNA microarray experiment with ID GSE59630 previously deposited in the GEO DataSet of NCBI database. The array contained log2 values of 17,537 human genes expressed in several aeras of human brain. The data was collected from 58 postmortem brain samples of individuals with DS and 58 samples from euploid controls. We calculated the differential gene expression (Z-ratio) of all genes from the microarray according to the several brain areas, gene distribution per chromosome and age ranks. Results: We found several differences in gene expression along the DS brain transcriptome, not only in the genes located at chromosome 21 but in other chromosomes. Moreover, we registered the lowest Z-ratio correlation between the age ranks of 16-22 weeks of gestation and 39-42 years (R2=0.06) and the highest Z-ratio correlation between the age ranks of 30-39 years and 40-42 years (R2=0.89). The analysis per brain areas showed that the hippocampus and the cerebellar cortex had the most different gene expression pattern when compared to the brain as a whole. Conclusions: Our results revealed the complexity of gene expression networks in the transcriptome profiles of hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DFC) and cerebellar cortex (CBC). Moreover, our approach opens a new vision of the genomic complexity of DS as a pathology of multiple and complex variables that are playing altogether to modeling their pathogenesis.
Dual Plate Fixation of Mason Type III and IV Radial Neck Fractures: a Mid-term Follow-up of 9 Cases
Authors: Ye Kai , Qin Hui , An Zhiquan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Radial head and neck fractures commonly occur in elbow injuries. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the dual plate fixation technique for fractures of the radial neck.Methods: This prospective study included 9 patients who were referred to our department by trauma surgeons between July 2014 and March 2018. 8 patients had a Mason type III fracture, and 1 patient had a Mason type IV fracture. The functional outcomes of dual plate fixation were evaluated via the range of motion (ROM) of the elbow joint, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), and the Broberg and Morrey Index. Radiographic images were also reviewed during follow-up.Results: After a mean follow-up period of 50 months (24–69), the mean elbow flexion was 134°, extension was 5°, pronation was 76°, and the mean supination was 78°. The mean DASH score was 6.3. The mean MEPI was 97, and the mean Broberg and Morrey Index was 97. At the time of the last follow-up, the average humeroradial joint space was 2.5 mm, and the average inclination of the radial head relative to the neck was 2.2°. There were no incidences of wound infection, delayed union, nonunion of the fracture, or secondary displacement.Conclusions: Mason type III–IV radial neck fractures can be fixed using the dual plate technique with sufficient midterm results for both fractures that involve the radial head and those that do not. Trial registration: 2020-KY-096(K)
Low Fidelity VTOL UAV Design Optimization using an Open Source Framework
Authors: Sethi Nikhil , Ahlawat Saurav , Nallanthighal Raghava 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
An all-electric unmanned aerial system with both VTOL and Fixed wing capabilities is designed and optimized for long range surveillance, dynamic target monitoring and disaster relief operations. Such applications are common military practice. The UAV is equipped with onboard computers and sensors and is capable of carrying 1kg of relief payload upto 100 Km. The entire low fidelity design process- from concept to render is carried out using completely open-source tools, libraries and in-house code. A prototype is fabricated, integrated and tested as well. The challenges faced and primary differences are discussed parallelly. A comparison with commercial codes and programs is also done in some areas to give an overview of key capabilities and possible caveats.