bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Maximum Aggregate Size and Powder Content on the Properties of Self-compacting Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Kim Namho , Kim Jeonghyun 
Published: June 2023

The utilization of recycled aggregates and various industrial by-products is considered a sustainable strategy in the concrete industry. In this study, the effect of the maximum size of recycled coarse aggregate and the cementitious binder content on fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete was investigated. Self-compacting concretes with maximum aggregate sizes of 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, and 19 mm were prepared at water-to-binder ratios of 0.39, 0.42, and 0.45, respectively. For all mixtures, 100% recycled aggregate was used as coarse aggregate and 60% of cement was replaced by industrial by-products, i.e., fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag. The tests included slump flow, air content, hardened density, compressive strength, elastic modulus, and splitting tensile strength. The results showed that the increase in maximum aggregate size and binder content tended to improve both fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete.
ANALISA REKAYASA PERANGKAT LUNAK SISTEM E-LEARNING DETEKSI DAN KOREKSI KESALAHAN BIT PADA KOMUNIKASI DATA DENGAN MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING
Authors: Sulistyono MY Teguh , Sudaryanto Sudaryanto 
Published: June 2023

Analisa sistem e-learning deteksi dan koreksi kesalahan bit pada komunikasi data dengan model problem based learning diperlukan sebuah teknologi pembelajaran untuk computer-base training, electric performance support systems, computer assisted instruction, intelligent tutoring, education dan training technology dengan area subyek meliputiÂ reference model, leaner model, task model, student identifiers, competency definitions, user interface, learning content interchange, learning content packaging, content sequencing, localization, learning content cataloging information, data exchange and interchange, protocols, web interchange, web browser platforms, tool/agent communication, course management, enterprise interface. Dimana analisa sistem e-learning membutuhkan teknologi pembelajaran yang bertujuan agar analisa pengembangan berbagai sistem untuk teknologi pembelajaran memiliki platform yang sama, sistemik dan sistematis, sehingga komunikasi, integrasi dan kolaborasi antar sistem dapat berlangsung dengan baik. Problem Based Learning melalui arsitektur Learning Technology System yang diimplementasikan dalam proses belajar mengajar. Segala macam pendukung pembelajaran dapat saling berintegrasi dengan pengguna sehingga hubungan antara aplikasi dengan pemakai dapat saling berintegrasi dengan baik sehingga dapat membantu proses belajar mengajar dan bagi peserta didik membantu mempercepat proses pemahaman terhadap materi pembelajaran yang diajarkan, sehingga tujuan pembelajaran akan mudah dicapai.Â Kata kunci : Problem Based Learning, sistem teknologi, E-learning.
Accuracy of tomographic and biomechanical parameters in detecting unilateral post-LASIK keratoectasia and fellow eyes
Authors: Yang Kaili , Fan Qi , Xu Liyan , Gu Yuwei , Pang Chenjiu , Ren Shengwei 
Published: June 2023

Background: Patients with unilateral post-LASIK keratectasia (KE) have clinical ectasia in one eye but not in the fellow eye. As serious complications, these cases are rarely reported but are worth investigating. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of unilateral KE and the accuracy of corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters to detect KE and distinguish fellow eyes from control eyes.Methods: The study analyzed 23 KE eyes, 23 KE fellow eyes, and 48 normal eyes from age- and sex-matched patients who had undergone LASIK. The Kruskal–Wallis test and further paired comparisons were performed to compare the clinical measurements of the three groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the ability to distinguish KE and fellow eyes from the control eyes. Binary logistic regression with the forward stepwise method was performed to produce a combined index, and the DeLong test was used to compare the discriminability difference of the parameters.Results: Males accounted for 69.6% of patients with unilateral KE. The duration between corneal surgery and the onset of ectasia ranged from 4 months to 18 years, with a median time of 10 years. The KE fellow eye had a higher posterior evaluation (PE) value than the control eyes (5 vs. 2, p = 0.035). Diagnostic tests showed that PE, posterior radius of curvature (3 mm), anterior evaluation (FE), and Corvis biomechanical index–laser vision correction (CBI-LVC) were sensitive indicators for distinguishing KE in the control eyes. The ability of PE to detect the KE fellow eye from the control eye was 0.745 (0.628 and 0.841), with 73.91% sensitivity and 68.75% specificity at a cut-off value of 3. The ability of a combined index, constructed using PE and FE, to distinguish fellow eyes of KE from controls was 0.831 (0.723 and 0.909), which was higher than that of PE and FE individually (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The fellow eyes of patients with unilateral KE had significantly higher PE values than control eyes, and a combination of PE and FE enhanced this differentiation in a Chinese population. More attention should be paid to the long-term follow-up of patients after LASIK and to be wary of the occurrence of early KE.
Study on the construction technology of β-alanine synthesizing Escherichia coli based on cellulosome assembly
Authors: Lu Jie , Wang Guodong , Yang Cuiping , Peng Zehao , Yang Lu , Du Bowen , Guo Chuanzhuang , Sui Songsen , Wang Jianbin , Li Junlin , Wang Ruiming , Wang Junqing 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: β-Alanine is the only β-amino acid in nature; it is widely used in food additives, medicines, health products, and surfactants. To avoid pollution caused by traditional production methods, the synthesis of β-alanine has been gradually replaced by microbial fermentation and enzyme catalysis, which is a green, mild, and high-yield biosynthesis method.Methods: In this study, we constructed an Escherichia coli recombinant strain for efficient β-alanine production using glucose as the raw material. The microbial synthesis pathway of L-lysine-producing strain, Escherichia coli CGMCC 1.366, was modified using gene editing by knocking out the aspartate kinase gene, lysC. The catalytic efficiency and product synthesis efficiency were improved by assembling key enzymes with cellulosome.Results: By-product accumulation was reduced by blocking the L-lysine production pathway, thereby increasing the yield of β-alanine. In addition, catalytic efficiency was improved by the two-enzyme method to further increase the β-alanine content. The key cellulosome elements, dockerin (docA) and cohesin (cohA), were combined with L-aspartate-α-decarboxylase (bspanD) from Bacillus subtilis and aspartate aminotransferase (aspC) from E.coli to improve the catalytic efficiency and expression level of the enzyme. β-alanine production reached 7.439 mg/L and 25.87 mg/L in the two engineered strains. The β-alanine content reached 755.465 mg/L in a 5 L fermenter.Discussion: The content of β-alanine synthesized by constructed β-alanine engineering strains were 10.47 times and 36.42 times higher than the engineered strain without assembled cellulosomes, respectively. This research lays the foundation for the enzymatic production of β-alanine using a cellulosome multi-enzyme self-assembly system.
A nomogram for predicting mortality of patients initially diagnosed with primary pulmonary tuberculosis in Hunan province, China: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Dan , Tang Si-Yuan , Lei Sheng , Xie He-Bin , Li Lin-Qi 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveAccording to the Global Tuberculosis Report for three consecutive years, tuberculosis (TB) is the second leading infectious killer. Primary pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) leads to the highest mortality among TB diseases. Regretfully, no previous studies targeted the PTB of a specific type or in a specific course, so models established in previous studies cannot be accurately feasible for clinical treatments. This study aimed to construct a nomogram prognostic model to quickly recognize death-related risk factors in patients initially diagnosed with PTB to intervene and treat high-risk patients as early as possible in the clinic to reduce mortality.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1,809 in-hospital patients initially diagnosed with primary PTB at Hunan Chest Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors. A nomogram prognostic model for mortality prediction was constructed using R software and was validated using a validation set.ResultsUnivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that drinking, hepatitis B virus (HBV), body mass index (BMI), age, albumin (ALB), and hemoglobin (Hb) were six independent predictors of death in in-hospital patients initially diagnosed with primary PTB. Based on these predictors, a nomogram prognostic model was established with high prediction accuracy, of which the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.881 (95% confidence interval [Cl]: 0.777-0.847), the sensitivity was 84.7%, and the specificity was 77.7%.Internal and external validations confirmed that the constructed model fit the real situation well.ConclusionThe constructed nomogram prognostic model can recognize risk factors and accurately predict the mortality of patients initially diagnosed with primary PTB. This is expected to guide early clinical intervention and treatment for high-risk patients.
Prognostic impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators and associated adverse events in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices
Authors: Pausch Jonas , Mersmann Julian , Bhadra Oliver D. , Barten Markus J. , Tönnis Tobias , Yildirim Yalin , Pecha Simon , Reichenspurner Hermann , Bernhardt Alexander M. 
Published: June 2023

ObjectivesImplantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) reduces the risk of all-cause mortality in symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Nevertheless, the prognostic impact of ICD therapy in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients remains controversial.Methods162 consecutive HF patients, who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution between 2010 and 2019, were categorized according to the presence (n = 94, ICD-group) or absence (n = 68, Control-group) of ICDs. Apart from clinical baseline and follow-up parameters, adverse events (AEs) related to ICD therapy and overall survival rates were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOut of 162 consecutive LVAD recipients 79 patients (48.8%) were preoperatively categorized as Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile ≤2. The prevalence of severe HF symptoms and preoperative use of short-term circulatory support devices (54.4% vs. 13.8%, p &lt; 0.001) was higher within the Control-group, although baseline severity of LV and RV dysfunction was similar. Apart from an increased prevalence of perioperative right heart failure (RHF) within the Control-group (45.6% vs. 17.0%; p &lt; 0.001), procedural characteristics and perioperative outcome were similar. Overall-survival during a median follow-up of 14 (3.0–36.5) months was similar within both groups (p = 0.46). During the first 2 years after LVAD implantation 53 ICD-related AEs occurred within the ICD-group. Thereof, lead-dysfunction occurred in 19 patients and unplanned ICD-reintervention in 11 patients. Furthermore, in 18 patients appropriate shocks without loss of consciousness occurred, whereas inappropriate shocks occurred in 5 patients.ConclusionICD therapy in LVAD recipients was not associated with a survival benefit or reduced morbidity after LVAD implantation. Conservative ICD-programming seems to be justified to avoid ICD-related complications and „awake shocks” after LVAD implantation.
Baseline demographics of a contemporary Belgian atrial fibrillation cohort included in a large randomised clinical trial on targeted education and integrated care (AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study)
Authors: Delesie Michiel , Knaepen Lieselotte , Dendale Paul , Vijgen Johan , Ector Joris , Desteghe Lien , Heidbuchel Hein 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAs the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases worldwide and AF management becomes ever more diversified and personalised, insights into (regional) AF patient demographics and contemporary AF management are needed. This paper reports the current AF management and baseline demographics of a Belgian AF population recruited for a large multicenter integrated AF study (AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study).MethodsWe analyzed data from 1,979 AF patients, assessed between 2018 and 2021 for the AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study. The trial randomised consecutive patients with AF (irrespective of AF history duration) into three educational intervention groups (in person-, online-, and application-based), compared with standard care. Baseline demographics of both the included and excluded/refused patients are reported.ResultsThe mean age of the trial population was 71.2 ± 9.1 years, with a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.4 ± 1.8. Of all screened patients, 42.4% were asymptomatic at presentation. Being overweight was the most common comorbidty, present in 68.9%, while 65.0% were diagnosed with hypertension. Anticoagulation therapy was prescribed in 90.9% of the total population and in 94.0% of the patients with an indication for thromboembolic prophylaxis. Of the 1,979 assessed AF patients, 1,232 (62.3%) were enrolled in the AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study, with transportation problems (33.4%) as the main reason for refusal/non-inclusion. About half of the included patients were recruited at the cardiology ward (53.8%). AF was first diagnosed, paroxysmal, persistent and permanent in 13.9%, 47.4%, 22.8% and 11.3%, respectively. Patients who refused or were excluded were older (73.3 ± 9.2 vs. 69.8 ± 8.9 years, p &lt; 0.001) and had more comorbidities (CHA2DS2-VASc 3.8 ± 1.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.7, p &lt; 0.001). The four AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study groups were comparable across the vast majority of parameters.ConclusionsThe population showed high use of anticoagulation therapy, in line with current guidelines. In contrast to other AF trials about integrated care, the AF-EduCare/AF-EduApp study managed to incorporate all types of AF patients, both out-patient and hospitalised, with very comparable patient demographics across all subgroups. The trial will analyze whether different approaches to patient education and integrated AF care have an impact on clinical outcomes.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03707873?term=af-educare&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1, identifier: NCT03707873; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03788044?term=af-eduapp&amp;draw=2&amp;rank=1, identifier: NCT03788044.
Endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic effects of decabromodiphenyl ether
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Xinpei , Sui Shaofeng , Liu Zhiyan 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundDecabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209), an essential industrial flame retardant that is widely used, has recently been reported to be increasing in human serum. Due to the structural similarity between BDE209 and thyroid hormones, its toxic effects on the thyroid are of particular concern.MethodsOriginal articles in the PubMed database were collected using the terms “BDE209”, “decabromodiphenyl ether”, “endocrine disrupting”, “thyroid”, “carcinogenesis”, “polybrominated diphenyl ethers”, “PBDEs,” and their synonyms from inception up to October of 2022.ResultsOf the 748 studies initially identified, 45 were selected, which emphasized the adverse effects of BDE209 on endocrine system. BDE209 may have a toxic effect not only on thyroid function but also on thyroid cancer tumorigenesis at multiple levels, such as by directly interfering with the TR, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, enzyme activity, and methylation. However, it is impossible to draw a definitive conclusion on the exact pathway of thyroid toxicity from BDE209.ConclusionsAlthough the toxic effects of BDE209 on the thyroid have been well investigated, its tumorigenic effects remain unclear and further research is necessary.
Non-severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial comparing two quantities of oral carbohydrates at different insulin-induced hypoglycemia ranges
Authors: Taleb Nadine , Gingras Véronique , Cheng Ran , Parent Valérie , Messier Virginie , Bovan Danijela , Shohoudi Azadeh , Brazeau Anne-Sophie , Rabasa-Lhoret Rémi 
Published: June 2023

AimsNon-severe hypoglycemia (NS-H) is challenging for people living with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) and often results from relative iatrogenic hyper-insulinemia. Current guidelines recommend a one-size-fits-all approach of 15–20 g of simple carbohydrates (CHO) every 15 min regardless of the triggering conditions of the NS-H event. We aimed to test different amounts of CHO to treat insulin-induced NS-H at various glucose ranges.MethodsThis is a randomized, four-way, crossover study involving PWT1D, testing NS-H treatment outcomes with 16 g vs. 32 g CHO at two plasma glucose (PG) ranges: A: 3.0–3.5 mmol/L and B: &lt;3.0 mmol/L. Across all study arms, participants consumed an additional 16 g of CHO if PG was still &lt;3.0 mmol/L at 15 min and &lt;4.0 mmol/L at 45 min post-initial treatment. Subcutaneous insulin was used in a fasting state to induce NS-H. Participants had frequent venous sampling of PG, insulin, and glucagon levels.ResultsParticipants (n = 32; 56% female participants) had a mean (SD) age of 46.1 (17.1) years, had HbA1c at 54.0 (6.8 mmol/mol) [7.1% (0.9%)], and had a diabetes duration of 27.5 (17.0) years; 56% were insulin pump users. We compared NS-H correction parameters between 16 g and 32 g of CHO for range A, 3.0–3.5 mmol/L (n = 32), and range B, &lt;3.0 mmol/L (n = 29). Change in PG at 15 min for A: 0.1 (0.8) mmol/L vs. 0.6 (0.9) mmol/L, p = 0.02; and for B: 0.8 (0.9) mmol/L vs. 0.8 (1.0) mmol/L, p = 1.0. Percentage of participants with corrected episodes at 15 min: (A) 19% vs. 47%, p = 0.09; (B) 21% vs. 24%, p = 1.0. A second treatment was necessary in (A) 50% vs. 15% of participants, p = 0.001; (B) 45% vs. 34% of participants, p = 0.37. No statistically significant differences in insulin and glucagon parameters were observed.ConclusionsNS-H, in the context of hyper-insulinemia, is difficult to treat in PWT1D. Initial consumption of 32 g of CHO revealed some advantages at the 3.0–3.5 mmol/L range. This was not reproduced at lower PG ranges since participants needed additional CHO regardless of the amount of initial consumption.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03489967.
Obesity is associated with impaired postprandial pancreatic polypeptide secretion
Authors: Zhao Yanyun , Zhou Yue , Chi Jingwei , Che Kui , Wang Yangang , Wang Wei 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the levels of serum pancreatic polypeptide (PP), insulin (INS), C-peptide (C-P), and glucagon (GCG) before and after glucose stimulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with different body mass indexes (BMI), analyze the relevant factors associated with PP secretion, and further investigate the role of PP in the development of obesity and diabetes.MethodsData were collected from 83 patients from the hospital. The subjects were divided into normal-weight group, overweight group, and obese group according to their BMI. All subjects were tested with the standard bread meal test (SBMT). PP and relevant parameters were measured, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated after 120 min of SBMT. AUCpp (AUC of PP) was used as the dependent variable, and the potential influencing factors were used as independent variables for multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsThe obese and overweight groups had significantly lower PP secretion than the normal-weight group (485.95 pg·h/ml, 95% CI 76.16–895.74, p = 0.021; 664.61 pg·h/ml, 95% CI 285.46–1043.77, p = 0.001) at 60 min postprandial. PP secretion in the obese and overweight groups was also significantly lower than that in the normal-weight group (520.07 pg·h/ml, 95% CI 186.58–853.56, p = 0.003; 467.62 pg·h/ml, 95% CI 159.06–776.18, p = 0.003) at 120 min postprandial. AUCpp was negatively associated with BMI (r = -0.260, p = 0.017) and positively associated with AUCGCG (r = 0.501, p&lt; 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a linear correlation between AUCGCG, BMI, and AUCpp (p&lt; 0.001, p = 0.008). The regression equation was calculated as follows: AUCpp = 1772.255–39.65 × BMI + 0.957 × AUCGCG (R2 = 54.1%, p&lt; 0.001).ConclusionCompared with normal-weight subjects, overweight and obese subjects had impaired PP secretion after glucose stimulation. In T2DM patients, PP secretion was mainly affected by BMI and GCG.Clinical trial registryThe Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100047486.
Development and validation of polyamines metabolism-associated gene signatures to predict prognosis and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Ning , Chai Mengyu , Zhu Lingye , Liu Jingjing , Yu Chang , Huang Xiaoying 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundPolyamines metabolism is closely related to tumor development and progression, as well as tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we focused on exploring whether polyamines metabolism-associated genes would provide prognosis and immunotherapy response prediction in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).MethodsThe expression profile data of polyamines metabolism-associated genes were acquired from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm, we created a risk score model according to polyamines metabolism-associated gene signatures. Meanwhile, an independent cohort (GSE72094) was employed to validate this model. Through the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the independent prognostic factors were identified. Subsequently, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect their expression in LUAD cells. By consensus clustering analysis, polyamines metabolism-associated subgroups were determined in LUAD patients, with differential gene expression, prognosis, and immune characteristics analyses explored.ResultsA total of 59 polyamines metabolism genes were collected for this study, of which 14 genes were identified for the construction of risk score model using LASSO method. High- and low- risk groups of LUAD patients in TCGA cohort were distinguished via this model, and high-risk group presented dismal clinical outcomes. The same prognostic prediction of this model had been also validated in GSE72094 cohort. Meanwhile, three independent prognostic factors (PSMC6, SMOX, SMS) were determined for constructing the nomogram, and they were all upregulated in LUAD cells. In addition, two distinct subgroups (C1 and C2) were identified in LUAD patients. Comparing the two subgroups, 291 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired, mainly enriching in organelle fission, nuclear division, and cell cycle. Comparing to C1 subgroup, the patients in C2 subgroup had favorable clinical outcomes, increased immune cells infiltration, and effective immunotherapy response.ConclusionThis study identified polyamines metabolism-associated gene signatures for predicting the patients’ survival, and they were also linked to immune cells infiltration and immunotherapy response in LUAD patients.