bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling the mechanical behavior of cement stabilized macadam with defects based on particle flow theory
Authors: Luo Chengcheng , Yan Zhanyou , Wang Xinqiang , Yan Yongkang , Liu Junzhuo , Zhao Guofang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The material of cement stabilized macadam is a discontinuous, inhomogeneous and quasi-brittle material. When it is locally damaged, it will be very limited to analyze the crack propagation and stress transfer with the theory of homogeneity and continuum. In order to study the meso-mechanical properties of cement stabilized macadam, a discrete element model of cement stabilized macadam was constructed in this paper by random theory according to the gradation and porosity of the laboratory material. The linear bond contact model, parallel bond contact model and smooth joint contact model were used between aggregates. Pre-added cracks of a certain density and width are set up separately in the interior of the discrete element model. The mechanical behavior of cement stabilized macadam under external loads was studied. The results show that: The data of discrete element model is highly justified by the stress-strain curves and the distribution of micro-cracks. The peak stress gradually decreases as the density of pre-added cracks increases. The peak stress for a crack density of 0m/m2 is 45.3%, 67.7%, 77.4% and 84.2% greater than that of 20m/m2, 30m/m2, 40m/m2 and 60m/m2 respectively. The stress peak for pre-added cracks with a width of 0 mm is 13.3%, 20.1% and 27.7% greater than that of 0.15 mm, 0.3 mm and 0.43 mm respectively. Most of the breakage cracks extend in the direction of the pre-added cracks. The angle of the broken cracks is predominantly 70° − 110°, accounting for about 45%.
A Novel Synthesis of Rod-shape BaNiSn-Graphene Decorated TiO 2 Composite as a Ternary Photocatalyst to Improve Visible-Light Driven H 2 Evolution with Lactic acid and TEA
Authors: Areerob Yonrapach , Rafat Md Nazmodduha , Ullah Kefayat , Oh Won-Chun 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
A novel rod-shape BaNiSn-Graphene oxide decorated TiO2 composite (BaNiSn-GT) has beeen synthesized using a simple ultrasonic method to enhance the visible-light-driven H2 evolution. The unique structure between the interfaces of BaNiSn-Graphene and TiO2 provides graphene oxide of contact and excellent electron transfer for H2 evolution activity. The BaNiSn-GT ternary photocatalyst showed that the BaNiSn-GT displayed the highest H2-production rate of 1012 µmol h-1 g-1, which was about 4 times that of rod-shape BaNiSn and BaNiSn-G under visible light irradiation with scavenger media. Moreover, the higher photocurrent density of BaNiSn-GT is correlated with electron-hole recombination, providing evidence for its inhibition, which leads to a longer lifetime of carriers produced by photoelectrons. The mechanism of the photocatalytic H2 evolution of BaNiSn-GT based on a full physicochemical characterization was proposed. This study provides new insight into the efficient hydrogen-evolution of graphene-based photocatalysts.
Isolation and characterization of Staphylococcus saprophyticus responsible for death of two six- banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus)
Authors: Guo Chuangen , Sun Weibo , Cheng Wangkun , Chen Nan , Deng Changlin , Xu Haoran , Wu Congyu , Lv Yingjun 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Two six-banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) suddenly died in a zoo of Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China, after exhibiting weak breath, high temperature, and nasal bleeding. Autopsy revealed dark brown appearance and enlargement of the visceral organs and several granular white necrotic foci in the spleen and liver of the two armadillos. Histological analysis revealed serious congestion, haemorrhage, and multiple necrotic foci in the spleen and liver; lungs exhibited congestion. Moreover, the bacterium suspected to be responsible for the death of the armadillos was observed in the spleen and lung tissue samples. Several gram-positive cocci were observed in the contacting smears of liver tissue samples. Biochemical analysis revealed that the isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus saprophyticus and was designated as S.S NH2021; 16S rRNA and gap gene sequencing of the isolate provided similar findings. Strain S.S NH2021 was resistant only against penicillin. Moreover, the mice challenged with high load of the isolated bacterium died and exhibited histopathological changes similar to those observed in the armadillos. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on S. saprophyticus infection in armadillos. This study provides a reference for breeding and management of six-banded armadillos in zoos.
Prevalence and characteristics of HTLV-associated uveitis in patients from Bahia, an endemic area for HTLV -1 in Brazil
Authors: Ozores Daniele P , Pinheiro Regina R , Boa-Sorte Ney , Dias Mauricio CS , Lima Raiana S , Araújo Thessika Hialla Almeida , Galvão-Castro Bernardo , Grassi Maria Fernanda Rios 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND
HTLV-1-associated uveitis (HAU) is an inflammatory reaction of the choroid, retina, optic nerve and vitreous that can lead to vision impairment. The worldwide prevalence of HAU varies widely.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of HAU in patients from Salvador, Bahia-Brazil, and describe uveitis type and associated symptoms.
METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical study to determine the prevalence of uveitis in HTLV-1-infected patients recruited in Bahia, Brazil, a region considered endemic for HTLV-1. Patients were enrolled at a local reference center for HTLV (infected) and at an outpatient ophthalmology clinic (noninfected group). All patients were examined by the same ophthalmologist following a single protocol. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 168 consecutively examined HTLV-1-infected patients and 410 noninfected patients (randomly selected) were included. Females predominated (82.1%) in the HTLV-1-infected group (versus 64.4% in the uninfected group) (p < 0.001). The mean age of infected and uninfected patients was 53.2 and 62.8 years, respectively (p < 0.001). The prevalence of uveitis in HTLV-1+ and HTLV-1− patients was 7.14% and 0.73%, respectively (PR = 9.76; 95CI%:2.79–34.15; p < 0.01). Bilateral intermediate uveitis, associated with symptoms including visual disturbances and floaters, was most commonly identified in the HTLV-1-infected patients, whereas unilateral anterior uveitis, in association with symptoms such as blurring and ocular pain, was more common in the uninfected group.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of uveitis in patients with HTLV-1 was markedly higher than in uninfected subjects. HAU patients were mostly asymptomatic and exhibited bilateral presentation, with uveitis more frequently localized in the intermediate chamber.
Facility-Led Community Based Approach in Mamfe Health District, Cameroon: A Differentiated Service Delivery Option in Complex Humanitarian Setting
Authors: Enongene Mekolle Julius , Keumami Kate Ivo , Omeichu Agwenam Amadeus , Agbornkwai Agbor Nyenty , Esa Ismaila , Chuyum Aseh Christian 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Background
The government of Cameroon’s 2017 operational guidelines for the implementation of the “test and treat” strategy expressly incorporates and prescribes the DSD model with testing and treatment services being decentralized and task shifted at community level. However, express guidance on DSD approach in conflict situations, characterized by pressure on existing health systems remains a limitation. The outbreak of COVID19 further confounded humanitarian responses for fear of spread. Facility-led community-based approach (FLCBA) was employed as a model of care in addressing DSD for HIV in conflictaffected settings within the COVID19 context.
Methods
A retrospective quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Mamfe District Hospital. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the implementation of FLCBA as a DSD model from April 2021 to June 2022 along the clinical cascades. Data were collected using a chart abstraction template from the respective registers. Analyses were done using Microsoft excel 2010.
Results
In 15 months, a total number of 4707 (2142 males, 2565 females) people were screened for HIV and 3795 (1661 males, 2134 females) eligible individuals were tested. Out of the 11 targeted health areas, 208 (5.5%) new positive cases were identified, all (100%) of whom were linked to care and treatment. During this period, 61% (34/55) targeted missing clients were tracked through this means among which 31 were defaulters and 3 LTFU. Of the 196 target clients for FLCBA, eligible for viral load sample collection, 142 (72%) samples were collected.
Conclusions
The FLCBA as an integral primary health care delivery package is an efficient and effective variant of DSD for conflict settings; however it requires bravery of health care providers.
Semantic Term weighting representation for Kannada Document Classification
Authors: Rangan R Kasturi , Harish B S 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
In natural language processing, sequence order of terms plays a vital role. This positional sequence information helps in the semantic analysis of the natural language. The absence of semantic information in term weighting methods motivated us to propose the semantic term weighting representation. On the other hand, to address the demand for Indian regional language resources, especially for the Kannada language we have created an 11,045 Kannada documents dataset. This dataset is multilabel and unbalanced. The proposed semantic term weighting representation methods (Term Frequency-Positional encoding (TF-PE) and Term Frequency-Inverse document frequency-Positional encoding (TF-IDF-PE)) are applied to the proposed dataset. Further, the K-Fold and normal train-test split experimentations are carried out on the proposed dataset. Among the proposed representation methods Unicode encoded Term Frequency-Inverse document frequency-Positional encoding (TF-IDF-PE) representation performed better than Term frequency-Positional encoding (TF-PE) representation. The Unicode encoded TF-IDF-PE representation with the SVM classifier yields better average accuracy of 68.62% in K-10 Fold experimentations.
Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic complex segmentectomy in older child with incidental congenital pulmonary airway malformation and abscess: Case report
Authors: Ahn Seha , Moon Youngkyu 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a very rare phenomenon subject to malignant transformation that requires surgical resection. In an asymptomatic 10-year-old girl, we identified a single cystic and consolidated lesion on computed tomography of the neck. This incidental finding was confined to anterior segment of lung in right upper lobe (RUL). Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) served to successfully achieve anterior segmentectomy, without chest tube placement. The surgical specimen confirmed features of CPAM, also showing acute and chronic inflammation with abscess formation. Once the surgical mainstay for such lesions, open lobectomy is now under challenge by thoracoscopic technique, port-reduction methods, and a lung-preserving strategy. Herein, we have shown uniportal VATS complex segmentectomy to be a viable option for an older child with CPAM confined to a single lung segment.
Supplementing commercial media with shrimp fecal waste enhances productivity in Salicornia grown in a hydroponic system
Authors: Ende Stephan S.W. , Jiménez-Muñoz² Marina , Meixner² Raphael , Jähne Gregor , Pinheiro Isabela , Ezzraimi Hanna Taieb , Henjes Joachim 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of shrimp waste as a bioavailable source of nutrients for the growth of Salicornia europaea, before and after a cavitation process and either in combination with or without commercial fertilizer. Fecal wastes were collected from the drum filter in a recirculating system for shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei culture. The two-factorial experimental design was pretreatment of fecal waste with cavitation (and control without cavitation) and nutrient source (commercial nutrient media (NM) or fecal waste (FW)) at different concentration ratios (100%/0%; 65%/35%; 35%/65% and 0%/100% of nutrient media or fecal waste). The growth experiment lasted 62 days. Media composition had a significant effect on final biomass, and yields ranged from 0.29 to 0.62 kg m-2 at 0%/100% and 65%/35%, respectively. The commercial media evaluated does not appear to be well suited for cultivation of Salicornia, and performance can be significantly increased if the commercial media is partially replaced with fecal waste (65%/35% ratio). However, whether pretreatment of fecal sludge is necessary to make nutrients available to Salicornia cannot be answered because it had no significant effect on final biomass.
Hydrothermal synthesis of Ti-Fe2O3 /In2O3 on the TiO2 nanotubes substrate for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Szkoda Mariusz , Ilnicka Anna , Zarach Zuzanna , Roda Daria , Nowak Andrzej P. , Trzciński Konrad 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
The layers of Ti-Fe2O3/In2O3 were prepared on the TiO2 nanotubes using hydrothermal method. The obtained materials were tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under sunlight irradiation. Deposited films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The formation of heterojunction increases photocurrent of water oxidation at 1.0 V vs RHE to over 725 mA/cm2, while TiO2/In2O3 and TiO2/Ti-Fe2O3 exhibit only 254 and 306 mA/cm2, respectively.
Prevalence of fatigue in children with congenital heart disease and correlations with disease-specific factors
Authors: de Vos D. R. H. , Hoefnagels J. W. , Vlist M. M. Nap-Van der , Breur J. M. P. J. , Nijhof S. L. 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Improved survival of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) leads to long-term challenges, like fatigue. Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in childhood chronic disease with a remarkably similar presentation across diverse disease groups. We hypothesize that fatigue impacts children with CHD similarly. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of fatigue in children with CHD, its correlation with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and several cardiologic factors.
METHODS
Prospective data were obtained from the PROactive cohort study. We examined the prevalence of fatigue in CHD and its correlation with HRQoL in 2- to 18-year-olds. Fatigue and HRQoL were assessed using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Generic Core Scales. Cut-off points for fatigue were based on a healthy control population (± 2SD). We assessed correlations between fatigue and disease-specific factors in 8- to 18-year-olds using linear regression analyses.
RESULTS
We included 259 patients (median age 8.9 (IQR 4.8–13.4), 56% boys). Of all participants, 34% reported fatigue and 16% reported severe fatigue. More fatigue was associated with lower HRQoL (β = 0.6, p < 0.01). Three disease-specific factors were significantly correlated with fatigue: number of cardiac procedures (β = 0.3, p = 0.01), exercise tolerance Watt/kg (β = 0.4, p < 0.01) and VO2/kg (β = 0.3, p = 0.02). These determinants explained 13% of the variance in fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue is common in children with CHD and its prevalence is comparable with other pediatric chronic diseases. Disease-specific factors explained a minor amount of the variance in fatigue. A biopsychosocial approach should be considered for the identification and management of fatigue in children with CHD.
Protein 4.1R regulates neutrophil function through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: hanhan li , Gao Xian , Lu Yu , Zhao Luyang , Guo Shuangshuang , Zhang Binglei , Sun Chuanxi , Chen Miaomiao , Liu Jingjing , Dai Liping , Fan Dandan , Ji Zhenyu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNeutrophils are important components of innate immunity in the blood. They are the body's first line of defense against microbial pathogens, especially when suppurative bacteria invade. Since its function can be both beneficial and harmful to the pathogen and the surrounding host tissues, its functions must be tightly regulated. First discovered in red blood cells, the 4.1R protein is a membrane skeleton protein that plays an important role in regulating the deformation and stability of the membrane. Many lines of evidence suggest that 4.1R has the ability to regulate cellular pathways in a variety of immune cells, but its function in neutrophils has not yet been reported. Here, we investigated the function of 4.1R in neutrophils using 4.1R−/−mice. Our results showed that the chemotactic function, phagocytic function, ROS production ability, and the secretion of inflammatory factors were increased in the 4.1R−/−neutrophils. Furthermore, results fromin vivoexperiments demonstrated that 4.1R−/−mice recruited more neutrophils, secreted higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, and had a shorter life-span. Further mechanistic evaluation revealed that the protein phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3 was increased in the 4.1R knockout neutrophils after their stimulation and activation. In summary, the expression of 4.1R protein has an important negative regulatory effect on neutrophil function, which may be mediated through the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Once a week consumption of Western diet over twelve weeks promotes sustained insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fat liver disease in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Demaria Thainá Magalhães , Crepaldi Leticia Diniz , Costa-Bartuli Emylle , Branco Jessica Ristow , Zancan Patricia , Sola-Penna Mauro 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUNDS: The Western diet (high in fat and sucrose) consumption is a highly prevalent feature in the whole world, mainly due to the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which are cheaper and easier-to-eat, as compared to fresh and highly nutritive meals. Epidemiological studies have associated UPF consumption withdevelopment of obesity, non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. For molecular studies, mice fed with Western diets have been used to characterize signaling pathways involved in these diet-induced pathologies, aiming to identify putative targets for treatments. However, these studies fed mice continuously with the diets, which is not compatible with what occurs in real life, when consumption is occasional.
METHODS: Here, we fed mice once-a-week with a high fat, high sucrose (HFHS) diet and compared these animals with those fed continuously with HFHS diet or with a standard diet.
RESULTS: Our results show that after a single day of consuming HFHS, animals presented impaired oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) as compared to control group. Although this impairment was reversed after 24 hours consuming regular diet, repetition of HFHS consumption once-a-week aggravated the picture such as after 12-weeks, oGTT impairment was not reversed after 6 days under control diet. Liver steatosis, inflammation, impaired insulin signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress are similar comparing animals that consumed HFHS once-a-week with those that continuously consumed HFHS, though weekly-fed animals did not gain as much weight.
CONCLUSIONS: Regimen of one day HFHS plus 6 days normal diet over 12 weeks is sufficient to induce insulin resistance and NAFLD in mice.
Development and validation of a machine learning model to predict prognosis in HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis patients: A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Liu Junyu , Lu Yaxin , Liu Jia , Liang Jiayin , Zhang Qilong , Li Hua , Zhong Xiufeng , Bu Hui , Wang Zhanhang , Fan Liuxu , Liang Panpan , Xie Jia , Wang Yuan , Gong Jiayin , Chen Haiying , Dai Yangyang , Yang Lu , Su Xiaohong , Wang Anni , Xiong Lei , Xia Han , jiang ying , Liu Zifeng , Peng Fuhua 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Background: An increasing number of HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis (CM) patients have been reported with fatality approaching 30%.At present, HIV-negative CM patients are stratified according to clinical guidelines and clinical experience for individualized treatment, but the effect seems to be not ideal in clinical practice. Therefore, an accurate model that predict the prognosis for HIV-negative CM patients is needed to provide reference for precision treatment.
Methods: This retrospective study involved 490 HIV-negative CM patients diagnosed between January 1, 1998, and March 31, 2022, by neurologists from 3 tertiary Chinese centres. Prognosis was evaluated at 10 weeks after the initiation of antifungal therapy. We used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) for feature filtering and developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict the prognosis in HIV-negative CM patients. Fifty-six patients from 2 other hospitals were analysed for external validation. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based detection model was also developed to automate the rapid counting of microscopic cryptococcal counts.
Results:The final prediction model for HIV-negative CM patients comprised 8 variables: CSF cryptococcal count, CSF white blood cell (WBC), altered mental status, hearing impairment, CSF chloride levels, CSF opening pressure (OP), aspartate aminotransferase levels at admission and decreased rate of CSF cryptococcal count within 2 weeks after admission. The areas under the curve (AUCs) in the internal and external validation sets were 0.87 (95% CI 0.794-0.944) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.744-0.975), respectively. An AI model was trained to detect and count cryptococci, and the mean average precision (mAP) was 0.993. Additionally, an online and freely available platform for predicting prognosis and detecting and counting cryptococci in HIV-negative CM patients was established.
Conclusions:A ML model for predicting prognosis in HIV-negative CM patients was built and validated, and the model might provide a reference for personalized treatment of HIV-negative CM patients. The change in the CSF cryptococcal count in the early phase of HIV-negative CM treatment can reflect the prognosis of the disease. In addition, utilizing AI to detect and count CSF cryptococci in HIV-negative CM patients can eliminate the interference of human factors in detecting cryptococci in CSF samples and reduce the workload of the examiner.
Structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of two piperazine guest supramolecular inclusion complexes
Authors: Jin Zesen , Liu E , Jian Fang Fang 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Two piperazine guest supramolecular inclusion complexes, (1) [MePa][Zn(H2PO4)2] (MePa = methylpiperazine, C5H12N2) and (2) [Pa][PHBA]·H2O (Pa = piperazine, C4H10N2; PHBA = p-hydroxybenzoic acid, C7H5O3) has been investigated structurally in the solid state. The host [Zn(H2PO4)2]n in (1) forms a rigid grommet to wrap the guest [MePa] in the grommet channel. The host PHBA in (2) with water molecules form rectangular building blocks from four directions, leaving cylindrical channels to the guest Pa. The guest piperazine molecules in two complexes are all stabilized and orderly arranged by supramolecular acting force which displays high symmetry. This kind of inclusion without changing the guest molecular structure is helpful for the study of drug sustained-release agents. Hirshfeld surface analysis showed that there were strong intermolecular forces on the surface of the two supramolecular inclusion crystals, which made the crystal structure very stable. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that complexes (1) and (2) had better thermal stability.