bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effects between adsorption and chemical reduction towards the effective Cr(Ⅵ) removal in the presence of the sulfur-doped biochar material
Authors: Ma Rui , Xu Xiangning , Zhang Yichu , Zhang Dandan , Ping Xiangguo , Chen Yongjun , Qian Jin , Yi Shouliang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
As the major by-products of municipal sewage treatment, the waste activated sludge (WAS) gives rise to secondary pollution to the environment and threatens human health without proper disposal. On the other side, hexavalent chromium (Cr(Ⅵ)) is among the 17 chemicals that pose the most detrimental effects to human beings. Herein, the anaerobic sludge withdrawn from thickener in a sewage treatment plant served as the precursor for sludge-based bichoar fabrication, which was further modified via the sulfur (S) heteroatom doping (i.e. S-BC). The S atom doping resulted in the adjustment of the physicochemical properties towards the carbon material, endowment of abundant functional groups on biochar surface, as well as increasing the binding sites between biochar and Cr(Ⅵ). Compared to the primary biochar (i.e. biochar without heteroatomic doping, named BC), S-BC exhibiting the rough surface, had remarkable advantages in ash content, specific surface area, and pore volume. and its specific surface area was 16.7 m2/g, which was significantly larger than BC-500 (9.4 m2/g). The existence of graphene carbon crystal structure for S-BC was confirmed through S-BC by XRD and FTIR analysis. The removal of Cr(Ⅵ) efficiency by S-BC could reach 91.8% under initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration of 30 mg/L, S-BC amount of 0.8 g and pH of 3.0. The analysis of adsorption kinetics and isotherms showed that pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir model more fitted the results of of Cr(Ⅵ) removal behavior in the presence of S-BC. Therefore, the chemisorption and monolayer adsorption were the primary mechanisms involved in the Cr(Ⅵ) removal process. Additionally, XPS analysis results illustrated the aqueous Cr(Ⅵ) was efficiently eliminated through the synergistic effect of chemisorption and reduction to Cr(Ⅲ) in the presence of S-BC. Moreover, S-BC could still achieve the Cr(VI) eliminating efficiency of 85.31% after five cycles with functional group and crystal structure almost unchanged.
Enhancing Cell Growth with PAN/PVA-Gelatin 3D Scaffold: A Novel Approach using In-situ UV Radiation Electrospinning and Plasma Treatment
Authors: Khavari Rahimeh , Jahanfar Mehdi , Anaghizi Saeed Javadi , Khademi Ahmad , Farivar Shirin , Ghomi Hamid 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The hydrophobic nature of synthetic polymers poses a substantial barrier since it limits cell-seeding and proliferation scaffold performance. To overcome this challenge, the present research attempts to employ in-situ UV electrospinning and plasma surface modification techniques to fabricate a three-dimensional PAN/PVA-gelatin scaffold. The proposed scaffold holds great potential in mitigating hydrophobicity limitations, thereby facilitating enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. The SEM results indicated that exposure to UV irradiation resulted in the formation of wavy shapes in the PAN microstructures and crosslinking between fibers within the scaffold. Moreover, plasma treatment induced the formation of pores on the PAN surface, with an average diameter of 43 µm, corresponding to the size range of mouse fibroblast cells. Furthermore, the plasma treatment provided roughness augmentation of the scaffold surface, which played a crucial role in enhancing cell adhesion and elongation on the modified scaffold surface. Comparatively, the plasma-modified scaffolds exhibited a higher proportion of viable cells than the unmodified scaffolds (p < 0.05). Moreover, the implementation of perforations in the PAN layer via plasma treatment reduced the number of necrosis cells in comparison to the other samples. In contrast, the unmodified scaffold showed a higher percentage of apoptosis cells (p < 0.05).
Predictors of cognitive performance in healthy older adults
Authors: Bugallo-Carrera César , Dosil-Díaz Carlos , Pereiro Arturo X. , Anido-Rifón Luis , Gandoy-Crego Manuel 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Human aging is a physiological, progressive, heterogeneous global process that causes a decline of all body systems, functions, and organs. Throughout this process, cognitive function suffers an incremental decline with broad interindividual variability. The first objective of this study was to examine the differences in cognitive performance per gender and the relationship between cognitive performance and the variables age, years of schooling, and depressive symptoms. The second objective was to identify predictor factors for global cognitive performance and of the domains orientation, language, memory, attention/calculation, visuospatial and executive function, abstraction, and identification. Five hundred seventy-three (573) cognitively healthy older adults aged ≥ 50 years were included in the study. The sociodemographic GDS-15 questionnaire and the Spanish version of the MoCA Test (v 7.3) were administered to assess depression symptoms and evaluate cognitive performance, respectively. Differences in cognitive performance per gender was assessed with Student's t-test for independent samples. The bivariate Pearson correlation was applied to examine the relationship between total scoring of cognitive performance and the variables age, years of schooling, and depressive symptoms. Different linear multiple regression analyses were performed to determine predictive variables for cognitive performance. We found gender-related cognitive performance differences. An association between age, years of schooling, and severity of depressive symptoms was observed. Age, years of schooling, and severity of depressive symptoms allow predicting cognitive performance, while gender does not.
Integrative analysis of the Quality of Work Life in critical care units
Authors: Rozo Laura del Pilar Quiñones , Erazo Gladys Eugenia Canaval 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
Health professionals in many parts of the world are cases, work in precarious conditions and intend to migrate to other countries in search of better living conditions for themselves and their families, which results in inadequate distribution worldwide and in the quality of care throughout the health system, which can ultimately influence the quality of life of patients in their health-disease processes.
Purpose
To analyze what quality of life at work is like for the health workforce in adult critical care (ACC) from an integrative approach.
Methods
This is an investigation of convergent parallel mixed methods that are integrated by means of a matrix in terms of convergence, divergence and complementarity. Two simultaneous moments of an analytical transversal type and another in narrative are included. Three instruments were applied to 209 Human Talent in Health to study the relationship among the Quality of Life at Work, exposure to psychosocial risks, compassion fatigue and the intention to rotate, and organizational practices in critical care were explored from the experiences narrated by 10 participants.
Results
The health workforce is dissatisfied with the management of their free time (77%). An unfavorable aspect for health is associated with the pace of work (84%), and there is an intention to migrate to another country (66%); they have high compassion satisfaction (67%). The narrative results in discrimination/harassment as normalized practices and faceless spirituality. The integration of mixed methods shows convergence between the use of the instrument that measures quality of life at work and the narratives of the participants, complementarity with the other instruments, and divergence regarding the intention to rotate to another health institution.
Conclusion
This study highlights the fact that the healthcare workforce is highly engaged, resilient, and adaptive in favor of an organizational culture that resists leaving the critical care ranks for a limited time.
Did COVID-19 affect the loss to follow-up in long-term periodontal treatment: A retrospective study based on phone call survey
Authors: Wang Mengli , Xu Yuxin , Fang Wen , Pan Weiyi , Wang Qianting 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 and the subsequent intermittent lockdown measures from 2020 to 2022 in China critically disrupted regular medical activities, including dental care. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on long-term follow-up at the Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and to evaluate potential causes of loss to follow-up.
Methods
A retrospective phone call survey based on a questionnaire of 19 questions was conducted among patients who met the eligibility criteria. Data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis using R (v4.2.3) software.
Results
A total of 536 (50.47%) valid questionnaires were collected from 1062 patients. Personal factors (42.5%), instead of the COVID-19 epidemic (20.0%), were the main factors that impacted the loss to follow-up in long-term periodontal treatment, while work factors (19.8%), hospital factors (16.4%), and transportation or distance factors (14.7%) were all important factors. A family history of periodontitis [odds ratio (OR) = 0.603, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.414–0.878, p = 0.008)], as well as frequent use of dental devices (OR = 0.539, 95% CI: 0.371–0.784, p = 0.001), were significantly associated with a "negative" attitude toward follow-up visits.
Conclusion
This survey suggests that COVID-19 epidemic factors contributed to the loss to follow-up of periodontitis patients, but the subjective personal factor of lack of periodontal health awareness of the individual remained the most important reason. Patients had mostly negative attitudes toward subsequent continued participation in supportive care, something that was even more pronounced among patients with a family history of periodontitis and among those with better oral hygiene habits.
Utilization and Outcome of Abnormal 2PN Human Embryos
Authors: Li Heng-li , Wang Yan , Shan Xu-dong , Liang Xin , Zhao Qing-mei , Yang Xian-ying , Lv Zi-li 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
There are not a few embryos derived from abnormal 2PN zygotes or embryo. For patients with non-normal available embryos, whether such embryos are discarded or continue to be transplanted have always been a concern of clinicians. This paper conducts research and analysis on this issue.
STUDY DESIGN:
This is a retrospective control study. All data collected was based on two IVF center between July 2011 and July 2021. We analyzed the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate derived from four kinds of abnormal 2PN embryos transplanted at the cleavage phases or blastocyst phases over the past 10 years. These data were statistically analyzed compared with the normal 2PN control group.
RESULTS
Among 50271 zygotes or embryos obtained from oocyte retrieval, 2PN, 0PN, 1PN,MNB and SERa accounted for 58.02%, 13.77%, 4.93%, 0.78% and 0.54%, respectively. After the transplantation of 3250 frozen-thawed cleavage embryos included in the study criteria, the clinical pregnancy rates of 2PN, 0PN, 1PN,MNB and SERa were: 48.6%, 18.6%, 12.4%, 25.5%, 10.7%, and the live birth rates were: 41.9%, 13.1%, 10.0%, 20.8%, 8.0%, respectively. After the transplantation of 3618 frozen-thawed blastocysts included in the study criteria, the clinical pregnancy rates of 2PN, 0PN, 1PN,MNB and SERa were: 59.4%, 48.3%, 47.6%, 51.7%, 53.1%, and the live birth rates were: 50.3%, 38.9%, 40.1%, 43.2%, 42.9%, respectively. Further analysis showed that the live birth rate of0PN, 1PN,MNB and SERacleavage embryo transplantation was only 19.1%-49.6%of normal 2PN cleavage embryo, while the live birth rate of 0PN, 1PN,MNB and SERablastocyst transplantation was 77.3%-85.9% of normal 2PN blastocyst.
CONCLUSION
When no normal 2PN embryos are available for transplantation, abnormal 2PN embryos are transplanted after being cultured to the blastocyst and the live birth rate close to that of a normal 2PN embryo can be obtained.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers in Haiti, December 2021
Authors: MICHEL Edwige , Jean-Denis Gladzdin , Denis Hetsner , Bouilly Roberta , Pierre Jean Samuel , Lafontant Donald , Alboth Jocelyne André , Pierre Manise , Dély Patrick , Boncy Jacques , Birmingham Maureen , Marseille Samson 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers are an exposed group for SARS-CoV-2, and this exposure is a public health priority. Transmission can occur from infected patients to staff and from infected staff to patients and co-workers, thus undermining the health care system. This study estimated the seroprevalence in this population and identified some associated factors.
Methods: We analyzed the exposure of healthcare workers in ten (10) large hospitals providing care to patients with COVID-19 by testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Potential risk factors such as age, vaccination history, and barrier measures such as masking were explored through a questionnaire.
Results: From December 06 to 15, 2021, among 3743 health care workers in major hospitals providing care to patients with COVID-19, a sample of 566 had received serological testing for SARS-CoV-2. The mean age was 39 years, 62% were female, and approximately 12% had hypertension. The vast majority did not reveal any signs or symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and 62% had already received the anti-COVID-19 vaccine.
The national prevalence regardless of vaccination status was 44%, with a predominance of male gender, age group 60 and older, and the Western Department. The prevalenceamong unvaccinated persons was 11.59%, and never wearing masks was associated with an increased risk of developing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion: Among health care workers, COVID-19 affects both sexes with a female predominance. The age group over 60 years is the most affected, and not wearing a mask is a risk factor associated with virus detection.
Smart City Construction and Urban Green Development: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Youzhi , Liu Yinke , Zhao Jing , Wang Jingyi 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Smart city construction represents an advanced stage of China's urbanisation process and plays an important role in promoting green economic growth and sustainable development. Propensity score matching is combined with the difference-in-difference method to analyse the data of 221 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2020 to assess the impact of smart city construction on urban green development. We found that smart city construction can significantly contribute to urban green development; this contribution has long-term benefits. Further analysis shows that smart city construction promotes urban green development via industrial structure and green technology innovation and that smart city construction has a significant positive spatial spillover effect, i.e., it promotes urban green development locally while significantly contributing to urban green development in neighbouring regions.
Identification of lncRNA expression profiles associated with ovarian development and ageing process in mice
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Zhou Zixue , Yang Xi , Pan Yuncheng , Liu Renbin , Mo Jitong , Jallow Muhammed Boye , Zhang Feng , Wu Yanhua 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) participates in various biological processes, however, neither the expression profile nor the biological role of lncRNAs in mammalian ovaries has been fully studied. In this work, the lncRNA transcriptomic analysis of postnatal mice ovaries was performed by using bulk RNA sequencing in C57BL/6 mice. A total of 5,302 lncRNAs were found in mouse ovaries, and 1836 lncRNAs were differentially expressed during the development and ageing process, of which targets were enriched in the developmental process, reproduction, etc. Developmental stage specific lncRNAs showed functions in system development, inflammatory response, myeloid leukocyte activation, etc. Moreover, a co-expression network analysis based on reproduction-related genes reveals lncRNAs that may regulate multiple mRNA targets in ovaries, including Neat1, Gm11613 and Gm43915. Two cis-acting lncRNAs, Ptgs2os and Gm14705, showed correlated expression pattern with their potential targets Ptgs2 and Aff2 respectively, and these lncRNA-mRNA pairs were conserved in mice and humans. WGCNA further identified 10 co-expressed modules with distinct expression patterns associated with ovarian development and ageing. Taken together, our results reveal a transcriptomic profile of mouse ovaries over the reproductive lifespan, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development and ageing.
Mutating BnEOD1 via CRISPR-Cas9 increases the seed size and weight in Brassica napus
Authors: Gu Jianwei , Chen Jiayin , Zhao Chenqi , Hong Dengfeng 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Seed weight, which is highly positively correlated to seed size, considered as a critical agronomic trait that determines the plant yield of Brassica napus. However, there have been limited researches on the genes involved in regulating seed size. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ENHANCER OF DA1 (EOD1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase gene, has been identified as a significant negative regulator in controlling organ size, but the function of its homologues in rapeseed remains unknown. Only two homologous of EOD1 have been found In B.napus. In this study, these two homologous of EOD1, BnaEOD1.A04 and BnaEOD1.C04, were mutated by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Three T-DNA-free lines, T2-157-1-C8, T2-390-2-B8 and T2-397-2-E2, were identified from the homozygous T2 mutant lines. The BnaEOD1.A04 showed a similar type of editing in these mutants, whereas the BnaEOD1.C04 in T2-397-2-E2 was only missing 26 amino acids and the translation was not prematurely terminated, which was a difference with other two mutants. In parallel, the mutation in BnaEOD1s resulted in a noteworthy augmentation of both seed size and seed weight in the three editing lines. Additionally, there was a significant decline in the SPS and SL in T2-157-1-C8 and T2-390-2-B8, however, T2-397-2-E2 did not show any significant changes in the SPS and SL, possibly due to distinct types of editing in the three lines. The above results indicate the conserved function of EOD1 homologues and provides promising germplasm for breeding novel high-yield rapeseed varieties by improving seed size and thousand-seed weight.
Designing a Contactless, AI System to Measure the Human Body using a Single Camera for the Clothing and Fashion Industry
Authors: Montazerian Mohammad , Leymarie Frederic Fol 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
We present a system that estimates upper human body measurements using a
set of computer vision and machine learning techniques. In a nutshell, the main
steps involve: (1) using a portable camera (such as from a smartphone); (2)
improving the image quality; (3) isolating the human body from the surrounding
environment; (4) performing a calibration step; (5) extracting features of the
body from the image; (6) indicating markers on the image; (7) producing refined
final results. Using a single RGB camera to obtain accurate body dimensions
rather than measuring these manually or via more complex multi-camera or more
expensive laser-based sensors, has a high application potential for the apparel
(fashion) industry. We also present in this paper, ellipse-like approximations with
the aim of minimizing the difference between the results of direct (hand) and
software measurements. The human body circumferences can be well approximately
represented by varying elliptic cross sections, and these can be adapted
to each individual. We show that better results than the current state-of-theart
are obtained based on a simple criterion. In our study, we selected a set of
two equations, out of many other possible choices, to best estimate upper human
body horizontal cross sections. We experimented with the system on a diverse
sample of participants. The results for the upper human body measurements in
comparison to the traditional manual method of tape measurements, when used
as a reference, show ±1cm average differences, which is sufficient for a number
of applications.
Impact of volume overload on cardiac connexin-43 and extracellular matrix of normotensive and hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats: Effects of treatment with Trandolapril and Losartan
Authors: Sykora Matus , Kratky Vojtech , Červenka Luděk , Kopkan Libor , Tribulova Narcis , Bacova Barbara Szeiffova 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is life-threatening disease due to electro-mechanical dysfunction associated with hemodynamic overload, while alterations of extracellular matrix (ECM) along with perturbed connexin-43 (Cx43) might be key factors involved. We aimed to explore an impact of volume overload due to aorto-caval fistula (ACF) on Cx43 and ECM as well as effect of renin-angiotensin blockade. Hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) and normotensive Hannover Sprague–Dawley rats (HSD) that underwent ACF were treated for 15-weeks with Trandolapril or Losartan. Blood serum and heart tissue samples of the right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) were used for analyses. ACF-HF increased RV and LV mass in HSD and to lesser extent in TGR, while treatment attenuated it and normalized serum ANP and TBARS. Cx43 protein and its ser368 variant along PKCε were lower in TGR vs HSD and suppressed in both rat strains due to ACF but prevented more by trandolapril. Pro-hypertrophic PKCδ, collagen I and hydroxyproline were elevated in TGR and increased due to ACF in both rat strains. While Smad2/3 and MMP2 levels were lower in TGR vs HSD and reduced due to ACF in both strains. Findings point out the strain-related differences in response to volume overload. While disorders of Cx43 and ECM signalling may contribute not only to HF but also to malignant arrhythmia risk. There is benefit of treatment with trandolapril and losartan indicating their pleitropic antiarrhytmic potential. It may provide novel input to therapy.
Drought-Responsive Genes in Tomato: Meta-Analysis of Gene Expression Using Machine Learning
Authors: Chowdhury Rabiul Haq , Eti Fatiha Sultana , Ahmed Rayhan , Gupta Shipan Das , Jhan Pijush Kanti , Islam Tofazzal , Bhuiyan Md. Atiqur Rahman , Khayer Abul , Rubel Mehede Hassan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Plants have diverse molecular mechanisms to protect themselves from biotic and abiotic stressors and adapt to changing environments. To uncover the genetic potential of plants, it is crucial to understand how they adapt to adverse conditions by analyzing their genomic data. We analyzed RNA-Seq data from different tomato genotypes, tissue types, and drought durations. We used a time series scale to identify early and late drought-responsive gene modules and applied a machine learning method to identify the best responsive genes to drought. We demonstrated six candidate genes of tomato viz. Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein 2 (FLA2), Amino acid transporter family protein (ASCT), Arginine decarboxylase 1 (ADC1), Protein NRT1/PTR family 7.3 (NPF7.3), BAG family molecular chaperone regulator 5 (BAG5) and Dicer-like 2b (DCL2b) were responsive to drought. We constructed protein-protein interaction networks to identify their potential interactors and found them drought-responsive. The identified candidate genes can help to explore the adaptation of tomato plants to drought. Furthermore, these candidate genes can have far-reaching implications for molecular breeding and genome editing in tomatoes, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie drought adaptation. This research underscores the importance of the genetic basis of plant adaptation, particularly in changing climates and growing populations.