bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A remotely sensed study of the impact of meteorological parameters on vegetation for the eastern basins of Afghanistan
Authors: Nabizada Ahmad Farid , Rousta Iman , Mozaffari Gholamali , Dalvi Marjan , Olafsson Haraldur , Siedliska Anna , Baranowski Piotr , Tkaczyk Przemysław , Krzyszczak Jaromir 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Despite the importance of the Amu Darya and Kabul River Basins as a region in which more than 15 million people live, and its vulnerability to global warming, only several studies addressed the issue of the linkage of meteorological parameters on vegetation for the eastern basins of Afghanistan. In this study, data from the MODIS, Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM), and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) was used for the period from 2000 to 2021. The study utilized several indices, such as Precipitation Condition Index (PCI), Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Soil Moisture Condition Index (SMCI), and Microwave Integrated Drought Index (MIDI). The relationships between meteorological quantities, drought conditions, and vegetation variations were examined by analyzing the anomalies and using regression methods. The results showed that the years 2000, 2001, and 2008 had the lowest vegetation coverage (VC) (56, 56, and 55% of the study area, respectively). On the other hand, the years 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2020 had the highest VC (71, 71, 72, and 72% of the study area, respectively). The trend of the VC for the eastern basins of Afghanistan for the period from 2000 to 2021 was upward. High correlations between VC and soil moisture (R = 0.70, p = 0.0004), and precipitation (R = 0.5, p = 0.008) were found, whereas no significant correlation was found between VC and drought index MIDI. It was revealed that soil moisture, precipitation, land surface temperature, and area under meteorological drought conditions explained 45% of annual VC variability.
A novel pH sensitive theranostic PLGA nanoparticle for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in Mesothelioma treatment
Authors: Sforzi Jacopo , Lanfranco Alberto , Stefania Rachele , Alberti Diego , Bitonto Valeria , Parisotto Stefano , Renzi Polyssena , Protti Nicoletta , Altieri Saverio , Deagostino Annamaria , Crich Simonetta Geninatti 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
This study aims to develop poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with an innovative imaging-guided approach based on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma. The herein-reported results demonstrate that PLGA nanoparticles incorporating oligo-histidine chains and the dual Gd/B theranostic agent AT101 can successfully be exploited to deliver a therapeutic dose of boron to mesothelioma cells, significantly higher than in healthy mesothelial cells as assessed by ICP-MS and MRI. The selective release is pH responsive taking advantage of the slightly acidic pH of the tumour extracellular environment and triggered by the protonation of imidazole groups of histidine. After irradiation with thermal neutrons, tumoral and healthy cells survival and clonogenic ability were evaluated. Obtained results appear very promising, providing patients affected by this rare disease with an improved therapeutic option, exploiting PLGA nanoparticles.
Total skin helical tomotherapy based on 3D printed total skin bolus
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Pi Yifei , Liu Chunbo , Wang Xin , Guo Yuexin , Lu Lei , Pei Xi , Xu Xie George 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective
To investigate the effectiveness of the 3D printing total skin bolus which was first used to treat mycosis fungoides (MF) with total skin helical tomotherapy (TSHT).
Materials and Methods
A 65-year-old female MF patient with a 3-year medical history was studied, and an in-house desktop fused deposition modeling printer was used to make flexible material of 5 mm thickness for the total skin bolus to increase the skin dose through build-up. The patient was scanned in upper and lower segments while the position of 10cm above the patella was defined as the dividing line, the prescription was 24 Gy in 24 fractions, and 5 times per week. The plan parameters consisting of the FW of 5 cm, the pitch of 0.287 and the MF of 3. The complete block was 4 cm away from the planning target volume (PTV) to reduce the dose of the internal organ at risk (OAR) especially the total bone marrow. Cheese Phantom point dose, ArcCHECK 3D plane dose, and total body multi-point EBT3 film verification was performed to ensure dose delivery accuracy. Finally, MVCT guidance was used to ensure the accuracy of setup and treatment.
Results
A 5 mm thick 3D printing suit was used as the bolus to achieve target volume coverage with 95% of the prescribed dose. The lower target's conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) were slightly better than the upper target. The doses of bone marrow gradually decreased with increasing distance from the skin, and the doses of other OARs were within the clinical requirements. The deviation of point dose verification was less than 1%, the 3D plane dose verification was greater than 90%, and the film multi-point dose verification deviation was less than 3%, multiple verification methods have proved the accuracy of the actual dose. The total treatment time was about 1.5 hours (0.5 hour for wearing 3D printing suit and 1 hour for beam-on), and patients may only have slight fatigue, mild nausea or vomiting, low-grade fever, and grade Ⅲ bone marrow suppression.
Conclusion
The TSHT of 3D printing suit can produce a uniform dose distribution with a short treatment time, simple implementation process, good clinical effect, and low toxic effect, this study provides one more treatment method to reach a better clinical effect for the treatment of MF.
Validating the APACHE Ⅳ score in predicting length of stay in the intensive care unit among patients with sepsis
Authors: Zangmo Kinley , Khwannimit Bodin 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

The Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV model can predict the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) in critically ill patients. Thus, this study aimed to validate the performance of the APACHE Ⅳ score in predicting ICU LOS among patients with sepsis. This retrospective study was conducted in the medical ICU of a tertiary university between 2017 and 2020. A total of 1,039 sepsis patients were enrolled. Patients with an ICU stay of 1 and > 3 days accounted for 20.1% and 43.9%. The overall observed and APACHE IV score predicted ICU LOS were 6.3 ± 6.5 and 6.8 ± 6.5, respectively. The APACHE IV score slightly over-predicted ICU LOS with standardized length of stay ratio 0.95 (95%CI 0.89–1.02). The predicted ICU LOS based on the APACHE IV score was statistically longer than the observed ICU LOS (p < 0.001) and were poorly correlated (R2 = 0.02, p < 0.001), especially in patients with a lower severity of illness. In conclusions the APACHE IV model poorly predicted ICU LOS in patients with sepsis. The APACHE IV score needs to be modified or we need to make a new specific model to predict ICU stays in patients with sepsis.
n-Pentanol lubrication of silica layers passivated with hydroxyl groups under constant shear stress and load, and isothermal conditions
Authors: Rivera Jose Luis , Bastida-Silva Vidal Moises , Guerra-Gonzalez Roberto , Ramirez-Zavaleta Fernando Iguazu , Lima Enrique 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the frictional behavior of silica layers passivated with hydroxyl groups and n-pentanol chains at constant shear stress, constant normal load, and isothermal conditions. We analyzed the shear stress conditions that produce sliding conditions under regimes of single slips, multiple slips, and continuous sliding. We also analyzed the single and multiple slips in terms of their conformations and displacements and proposed a sliding mechanism between the methyl groups of the n-pentanol chains located at the sliding surface. We studied the equilibration periods, which can reach high accelerations, prior to the continuous sliding behavior. A critical ordering of the hydrogen bonds at the silica surface is needed prior to reaching the stationary state. The velocities obtained in the stationary states follow a logarithmic dependence with the shear stresses, as previously reported for the single slip regime. Finally, we studied the conformations of the systems under the shortest and the largest shear stresses, which resulted in small changes in the lubricant volume, expanded as the shear stress increased.
Mastering Vacuum Swallowing to Improve Pharyngeal Bolus Passage by Creating Negative Pressure in the Esophagus
Authors: Kunieda Kenjiro , Fujishima Ichiro , Ohno Tomohisa , Sugi Takafumi , Tanahashi Kazuo , Okamoto Keisi , Suzuki Saori , Shigematsu Takashi , Yagi Naomi , Oku Yoshitaka 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Objective
Vacuum swallowing improves pharyngeal bolus passage by creating negative pressure in the esophagus. This study aimed to (1) assess whether patients with dysphagia with lateral medullary syndrome (LMS) could reproduce vacuum swallowing and (2) evaluate its safety using a swallowing and breathing monitoring system (SBMS).
Methods
Two patients with dysphagia with LMS were instructed to perform vacuum swallowing. Videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing (VF) was performed. High-resolution manometry (HRM) parameters, including the esophageal minimum pressure (Pmin) and maximum pressure (Pmax) in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), were compared to the values obtained during normal swallowing. The coordination between vacuum swallowing and breathing was evaluated using SBMS.
Results
VF showed that pharyngeal residues in the pyriform sinus were sucked into the esophagus during vacuum swallowing. No aspiration was observed. Pmin was significantly lower, and Pmax was significantly higher during vacuum swallowing. In the SBMS study, vacuum swallowing followed an expiratory swallowing pattern; this pattern was observed in 3 out of 5 swallowing episodes in Patient 1 and all swallowing episodes in Patient 2. Deglutition apnea was observed during vacuum swallowing.
Conclusion
Patients could safely master vacuum swallowing. This may be a new method for improving pharyngeal bolus passage.
Cognitive map formation in the blind is enhanced by three-dimensional tactile information
Authors: Bleau Maxime , Acker Camille van , Nemargut Joseph Paul , Ptito Maurice 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
For blind individuals, tactile maps are useful tools to form cognitive maps through touch. However, they still experience challenges in cognitive map formation and independent navigation. Three-dimensional (3D) tactile information is thus increasingly being considered to convey enriched spatial information, but it remains unclear if it can facilitate cognitive map formation compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) tactile information. Consequently, the present study investigated the impact of the type of sensory input (tactile vs. visual) on cognitive map formation. To do so, early blind (EB, n = 13), late blind (LB, n = 12), and sighted (SC, n = 14) participants were tasked to learn the layouts of mazes produced with different sensory information (visual vs. tactile 2D vs. tactile 3D) and to infer routes from memory. Results show that EB only manifested stronger cognitive map formation with 3D mazes. LB performed equally well with 2D and 3D mazes, and SC manifested equivalent cognitive map formation with visual and 3D tactile mazes. 3D tactile maps therefore have the potential to improve spatial learning for EB and newly blind individuals through a reduction of cognitive overload. Installation of 3D tactile maps in public spaces should be considered to promote universal accessibility and reduce blind individuals’ wayfinding deficits related to the inaccessibility of spatial information through non-visual means.
Recovery of high-quality genomes from the fecal microbiome of the domestic cat (Felis catus) using Hi-C proximity ligation
Authors: Rojas Connie A. , Ganz Holly H. , Gardy Jennifer , Eisen Jonathan A. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Objectives:The fecal microbiome of domestic cats is largely unexplored but of great interest to veterinarians, pet owners, and the pet food industry. Prior studies have mostly utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and some have employed shotgun metagenomics but none have assembled bacterial genomes. Cultivation efforts in veterinary medicine have focused on pathogens or disease-associated taxa, and as a result, we are still building our understanding of the commensal bacteria associated with cats. Here we use Hi-C proximity ligation in combination with shotgun sequencing to retrieve high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the fecal microbiomes of two healthy domestic cats (Felis catus). These genomes were assessed for completeness and contamination and were classified taxonomically.Data description:We used Phase Genomics’ ProxiMeta Kit to reconstruct 52 high-quality MAGs and also provide information on the putative AMR alleles encoded in these MAGs. Briefly, DNA was cross-linked, digested, and ligated to create chimeric junctions. These were sequenced and analyzed in conjunction with shotgun metagenome assemblies to assemble high-quality MAGs. This study is the first to provide MAGs from the fecal microbiomes of domestic cats and future studies can build off this work to further our understanding of the composition and function of the felid fecal microbiome.
Growing a Peritoneal Dialysis Program in Palestine from Zero to 178 Patients in 5 Years: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Taher Ameed , Enaya Ahmad , Sarsour Ala , Bahar Sami , Hamayel Dalia , Safarini Omar , Hamdan Zakaria , Nazzal Zaher 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney failure is rapidly rising in Palestine, as the number of patients receiving maintenance dialysis has quadrupled in the last 15 years. In this study, we share an overview of our experience growing a peritoneal dialysis (PD) program from zero to 178 patients in five years at An-Najah National University Hospital in Palestine, presenting some challenges and ways to overcome them.Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study of patients treated with PD from November 2016 to December 2021. Demographic and clinical data were obtained for each patient. In addition, PD discontinuation and peritonitis rates were calculated and presented as the primary patient outcomes.Results: A total of 158 patients were eligible for the study. The mean age was 51.8 ± 16.4 years, and 53.8% of patients were male. Diabetic nephropathy was the most common cause of kidney failure. Sixty-three episodes of peritonitis were diagnosed in 48 patients (30.4%) for a rate of 1 episode/ 38.2 patient-months (0.31 episodes/ patient-years). Twenty patients had their PD treatment discontinued, mainly due to psychosocial reasons and infectious and mechanical complications. Death was the fate of 27 patients, with cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 being the two main causes.Conclusion: The outcomes of this experience proved favorable and showed that PD could serve as a viable option for kidney failure patients in Palestine. Moreover, this study can serve as an example for other places where circumstances are challenging to take the initiative of starting their PD programs.
Anti-adhesion mechanism of TiB2 deposited Ti6Al4V blade tip against Al-hBN seal coating during high-speed rubbing
Authors: Wu Bi 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The TiB2 coating deposited by magnetron sputtering on the Ti6Al4V simulated blade tip with a dense fiber-like microstructure has the adhesion strength grade of HF1. High-speed rubbing results showed that the TiB2 coating could inhibit the adhesive transfer of the Al-hBN seal coating at 300 m/s. It was found that the tribological oxidation of TiB2 coating led to the TiB2/fused Al interface reaction by characterization of the interface microstructure of the Al-adhesive blade tip. The thin interface reaction interlayer mainly consists of TiAl3 phase. The large thermal stress at TiAl3/TiB2 interface makes the interface reaction layer with the Al-adhesive transfer layer easily peel off from the blade tip. Thus, the Al-adhesive transfer is always at a lower level.
Synthesis and characterization of g-C 3 N 4 modified zeolite and its application as a methyl violet 6b cationic dye sorbent
Authors: Karimi Somayeh , Saraji Mohammad 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

This paper reports a novel, low-cost and facile approach to prepare a hybrid material consisting of zeolite, Fe3O4 and graphitic carbon nitride as a sorbent to remove methyl violet 6b (MV) from aqueous solutions. To improve the performance of the zeolite for the removal of MV, graphitic carbon nitride (with different C-N bonds and conjugated π region) was used. Also, to perform an easy and fast separation of sorbent from aqueous media, magnetic nanoparticles were incorporated into the sorbent. The prepared sorbent was characterized by different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The effects of four parameters of initial pH, initial concentration of MV, contact time and the adsorbent amount on the removal process were investigated and optimized by the central composite design method. The removal efficiency of MV was modeled as a function of the experimental parameters an optimal removal efficiency of 89% and maximum adsorption capacity of 384.61 mg g− 1 was achieved using 10 mg of the sorbent at a 2-min contact time. The applied composite can efficiently remove MV from various wastewater samples (paint, textile industries, pesticide production wastewater samples and municipal wastewater).
Correlation between the Clinical Treatment Score Post 5 years (CTS5) and the Oncotype DX 21-gene recurrence score (ODX-RS); can we accurately predict patients who require extended adjuvant hormonal manipulation.
Authors: Shrestha Amber , Cullinane Carolyn , Evoy Denis , Geraghty James , Rothwell Jane , McCartan Damian , Quinn Cecily , Enda McDermott , Walshe Janice , Prichard Ruth 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background. While hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER 2-negative (HER2-), node-negative breast cancer is associated with an excellent overall prognosis, it possesses a unique penchant for late recurrence. Estimating breast cancer recurrence has traditionally relied on clinicopathologic markers, such as those underpinning the Clinical Treatment Score Post 5 years (CTS5) but there is an increasing dependence on multigene molecular signatures such as the Oncotype DX 21-gene recurrence score (ODX-RS). The purpose of this current study was to examine the relationship between the novel CTS5 and the ODX-RS with an observational cohort study.
Methods. The CTS5 and ODX-RS were calculated for 1,358 patients who were diagnosed with HR+, HER2-VE, node-negative, invasive breast cancer. The cohort was split according to menopausal status as defined by age. 381 pre-menopausal (<52 years) and 977 post-menopausal (≥ 52 years) patients were included in the analysis. Correlation statistics were used to investigate the relationship between the CTS5 and the ODX-RS.
Results. Considering the CTS5 and ODX-RS as categorical and continuous variables respectively, there was a significant relationship between the CST5 and the ODX-RS categories (Pearson's chi-squared (x2) p <0.001), and a high ODX-RS was weakly associated with a high CTS5 RS (Pearson product moment correlation pre-menopausal r=0.274, p<0.05; post-menopausal r=0.222, p<0.05).
Conclusion. The current study demonstrates a weak but statistically significant correlation between the CTS5 and the ODX-RS that is independent of age. This finding mirrors previous research which indicates that the ODX-RS is poorly correlated with traditional clinicopathologic features used to predict recurrence risk.
Comparing GDF9 in mature follicles and clinical outcome in different PCOS Phenotypes
Authors: Cai Jingjing , Luo Xiangmin , Wang Zhengyao , Chen Zixuan , Huang Donghong , Cao Hui , Chen Jing , Wu Jinxiang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Backgroud: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is aprime candidate as potential biomarker for the assessment of oocyte competence. Herein, we aimed to screen GDF9 of mature follicles in women with differentPCOS phenotypes undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COS) and analyse the correlation between GDF9 expression levels and the oocyte developmental ability.
Methods: In this study, follicular fluid (FF) and cumulus cells(CCs) of mature follicles were collected from different PCOS phenotypes, Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine the level of GDF9 in FF; Immunohistochemical method was performed to detect GDF9 protein expression in CCs. The indenpendent effect of GDF9 on blastocyst formation and clinical pregnancy was determined by Binary Logistic Regression analysis.
Results:The GDF9 levels in FF for phenotype A and B were significantly increased, compared to the phenotype D, (P=0.019, P=0.0015, respectively). Increased GDF9 expression in CCs of phenotype A and B was accompanied by the changes of FF. The analysis of the multivariable logistic regression showed that GDF9 was a significant independent prognosticator of blastocyst formation(P＜0.001). The phenotype A had a higher percent of blastocyst formationthan the phenotype B and D (P＜0.001).
Conclusions: Taken together, GDF9 expression varied in different PCOS phenotypes. The phenotype A had a higher GDF9 level and even more ability of blastocyst formation.