bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupled mechanical creep and bio-compression and residual settlement in a multi-stage municipal solid waste landfill, Korea
Authors: Young-Seok Jo , Wan-Kyu Yoo , Sung-Phil Hwang , Chang-Yong Kim 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBased on a field monitored dataset measured at landfill #1 over 21 years, the characteristics of settlement coupling mechanical creep and biodegradation and the residual settlement were analyzed. Since landfill #1 is a multi-stage municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill where dykes are constructed after landfilling for subsequent waste fills, the waste decomposition between the lower and upper lifts was quite different and it is difficult to discern between the mechanical creep and bio-compression on the settlement curves. The compression ratio coupled with mechanical creep and bio-compression and the residual compression ratio were determined as 0.233 and 0.068, respectively. This implies that biodegradation was gradually and significantly reduced in the MSW settlement behavior after the residual settlement began. The starting date of residual settlement was distributed between 3821 and 5402 days from the initial date of landfilling. The settlement coupling mechanical creep and biodegradation (SMB) was 2.9 times larger than the residual settlement (SRS), and the duration of SMB is determined to be 0.3 times that of SRS. In addition, the remnant methane gas content existed in the landfill gas, and low-level biodegradation was still generated in the waste buried for more than 10 years after the residual settlement began.
Parametric analysis of an efficient boundary condition to control outlet flow rates in large arterial networks
Authors: Lo Sharp C. Y. , McCullough Jon W. S. , Coveney Peter V. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSubstantial effort is being invested in the creation of a virtual human—a model which will improve our understanding of human physiology and diseases and assist clinicians in the design of personalised medical treatments. A central challenge of achieving blood flow simulations at full-human scale is the development of an efficient and accurate approach to imposing boundary conditions on many outlets. A previous study proposed an efficient method for implementing the two-element Windkessel model to control the flow rate ratios at outlets. Here we clarify the general role of the resistance and capacitance in this approach and conduct a parametric sweep to examine how to choose their values for complex geometries. We show that the error of the flow rate ratios decreases exponentially as the resistance increases. The errors fall below 4% in a simple five-outlets model and 7% in a human artery model comprising ten outlets. Moreover, the flow rate ratios converge faster and suffer from weaker fluctuations as the capacitance decreases. Our findings also establish constraints on the parameters controlling the numerical stability of the simulations. The findings from this work are directly applicable to larger and more complex vascular domains encountered at full-human scale.
Determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia
Authors: Gilano Girma , Sako Sewunet , Gilano Kasarto 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIntroducing complementary feeding either early or later than 6 months is associated with future negative health outcomes. However, many women in Ethiopia do not follow WHO standard time to feed their children, which might be due to various demographic, economic, access, and availability of services. Thus, we aimed to identify factors attributing to the problems to assist future interventions. We used cross-sectional EMDHS 2019 for this analysis. We cleaned the data and 4061 women with under 2 years children were identified. We applied multilevel binary logistic regression in Stata v.15. Model comparison was based on log-likelihood ratio, deviance, and other criteria. We presented data using mean, percent, 95% CI, and adjusted odds ratio (AOR). The timely complementary feeding was 36.44% (34.93–37.92%). Factors like preceding birth intervals (AOR = 1.97 95% CI 1.62–1.39), primary education (AOR = 2.26 95% CI 1.40–3.62), secondary above education (AOR = 1.62 95% CI 1.10–2.38), and rich wealth index (AOR = 1.25 95% CI 1.03–1.52) were some of the associated factors. The magnitude of timely initiation of complementary feeding was diminutive. Authors suggest that interventions considering maternal education, empowering mothers economically, equity access to health services, and birth planning a good remedy.
Identification and validation of core genes as promising diagnostic signature in hepatocellular carcinoma based on integrated bioinformatics approach
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Singh Amit Kumar , Tiwari Kavindra Nath , Mishra Sunil Kumar , Rajput Vishnu D. , Minkina Tatiana , Cavalu Simona , Pop Ovidiu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe primary objective of this investigation was to determine the hub genes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through an in silico approach. In the current context of the increased incidence of liver cancers, this approach could be a useful prognostic biomarker and HCC prevention target. This study aimed to examine hub genes for immune cell infiltration and their good prognostic characteristics for HCC research. Human genes selected from databases (Gene Cards and DisGeNET) were used to identify the HCC markers. Further, classification of the hub genes from communicating genes was performed using data derived from the targets' protein–protein interaction (PPI) platform. The expression as well as survival studies of all these selected genes were validated by utilizing databases such as GEPIA2, HPA, and immune cell infiltration. Based on the studies, five hub genes (TP53, ESR1, AKT1, CASP3, and JUN) were identified, which have been linked to HCC. They may be an important prognostic biomarker and preventative target of HCC. In silico analysis revealed that out of five hub genes, the TP53 and ESR1 hub genes potentially act as key targets for HCC prevention and treatment.
Temporal visual representation elicits early auditory-like responses in hearing but not in deaf individuals
Authors: Gori Monica , Amadeo Maria Bianca , Pavani Francesco , Valzolgher Chiara , Campus Claudio 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIt is evident that the brain is capable of large-scale reorganization following sensory deprivation, but the extent of such reorganization is to date, not clear. The auditory modality is the most accurate to represent temporal information, and deafness is an ideal clinical condition to study the reorganization of temporal representation when the audio signal is not available. Here we show that hearing, but not deaf individuals, show a strong ERP response to visual stimuli in temporal areas during a time-bisection task. This ERP response appears 50–90 ms after the flash and recalls some aspects of the N1 ERP component usually elicited by auditory stimuli. The same ERP is not evident for a visual space-bisection task, suggesting that the early recruitment of temporal cortex is specific for building a highly resolved temporal representation within the visual modality. These findings provide evidence that the lack of auditory input can interfere with typical development of complex visual temporal representations.
AQbD based green UPLC method to determine mycophenolate mofetil impurities and Identification of degradation products by QToF LCMS
Authors: Muchakayala Siva Krishna , Katari Naresh Kumar , Saripella Kalyan Kumar , Schaaf Henele , Marisetti Vishnu Murthy , Kowtharapu Leela Prasad , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha Babu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWe report an ideal method for quantifying impurities in mycophenolate mofetil drug substances and their oral suspension preparations. We developed a systematic and eco-friendly analytical approach utilizing quality by design (QbD) and green chemistry principles. Initially, the critical method parameters (CMPs) were screened using a D-optimal design. The robust final method conditions were optimized using a systematic central composite design (CCD). Through graphical and numerical optimization, the protocol conditions were augmented. The pH of mobile phase buffer (25 mM KH2PO4) (MP-A), initial gradient composition (% MP-A), flow rate (mL min−1), and column oven temperatures (°C) are 4.05, 87, 0.4, and 30, respectively. The best possible separation between the critical pairs was achieved while using the Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (100 × 2.1) mm, 1.7 µm analytical column. A mixture of water and acetonitrile in the ratio of 30:70 (v/v) was used as mobile phase-B for the gradient elution. The analytical method was validated in agreement with ICH and USP guidelines. The specificity results revealed that no peaks interfered with the impurities and MPM. The mean recovery of the impurities ranged between 96.2 and 102.7%, and the linearity results r > 0.999 across the range of LOQ – 150%. The precision results (%RSD) ranged between 0.8 and 4.5%. The degradation products formed during the base-induced degradation were identified as isomers of mycophenolic acid and sorbitol esters using Q-ToF LC–MS and their molecular and fragment ion peaks. The developed method eco-friendliness and greenness were assessed using analytical greenness (AGREE), green analytical procedure index (GAPI), and analytical eco score, and found it is green.
Multiacquisition with variable resonance image combination T2 (MAVRIC SL T2) for postoperative cervical spine with artificial disc replacement
Authors: Lee Ro Woon , Kim Yeo Ju , Yoon Daehyun , Lee Seunghun , Ryu Jeongah 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAnterior cervical discectomy with artificial disc replacement (ADR) is an effective treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease. However, postoperative MRI due to recurrent neck/radicular pain is limited due to severe metallic artifacts of artificial disc instrument. Multiacquisition with variable resonance image combination selective T2 (MAVRIC SL T2) has been developed as an MRI technique for metal artifact reduction but has not been evaluated for the postoperative cervical spine with ADR. In our study, we compared MAVRIC SL T2 with the fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted sequence (T2WI), which was an essential MR sequence for evaluation of the cervical neural structure, for metallic artifact reduction in the post-operative cervical spine with ADR. Our study revealed MAVRIC SL T2 showed smaller signal void areas, less distortion and signal pile-up, and was more clinically useful than T2WI (p < 0.05). The spinal cord, vertebral bodies, both neural foramina, and anterior paravertebral soft tissue were significantly more visible with MAVRIC SL T2 than with T2WI (p < 0.05). MAVRIC SL T2 might be a useful technique for the evaluation of postoperative cervical spine with ADR and complements T2WI in the evaluation of the spinal cord and nerve roots which were important structures for post-operative recurrent neck/radicular pain.
Effect of out-of-village working activities on recent malaria exposure in the Peruvian Amazon using parametric g-formula
Authors: Carrasco-Escobar Gabriel , Rosado Jason , Nolasco Oscar , White Michael T. , Mueller Ivo , Castro Marcia C. , Rodriguez-Ferruci Hugo , Gamboa Dionicia , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Vinetz Joseph M. , Benmarhnia Tarik 
Published: November 2022

AbstractIn the Amazon Region of Peru, occupational activities are important drivers of human mobility and may increase the individual risk of being infected while contributing to increasing malaria community-level transmission. Even though out-of-village working activities and other mobility patterns have been identified as determinants of malaria transmission, no studies have quantified the effect of out-of-village working activities on recent malaria exposure and proposed plausible intervention scenarios. Using two population-based cross-sectional studies in the Loreto Department in Peru, and the parametric g-formula method, we simulated various hypothetical scenarios intervening in out-of-village working activities to reflect their potential health benefits. This study estimated that the standardized mean outcome (malaria seroprevalence) in the unexposed population (no out-of-village workers) was 44.6% (95% CI: 41.7%–47.5%) and 66.7% (95% CI: 61.6%–71.8%) in the exposed population resulting in a risk difference of 22.1% (95% CI: 16.3%–27.9%). However, heterogeneous patterns in the effects of interest were observed between peri-urban and rural areas (Cochran’s Q test = 15.5, p < 0.001). Heterogeneous patterns were also observed in scenarios of increased prevalence of out-of-village working activities and restriction scenarios by gender (male vs. female) and age (18 and under vs. 19 and older) that inform possible occupational interventions targetting population subgroups. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that targeting out-of-village workers will considerably benefit current malaria elimination strategies in the Amazon Region. Particularly, males and adult populations that carried out out-of-village working activities in rural areas contribute the most to the malaria seropositivity (recent exposure to the parasite) in the Peruvian Amazon.
Genotyping-by-sequencing reveals range expansion of Adonis vernalis (Ranunculaceae) from Southeastern Europe into the zonal Euro-Siberian steppe
Authors: Seidl Anna , Tremetsberger Karin , Pfanzelt Simon , Lindhuber Lisa , Kropf Matthias , Neuffer Barbara , Blattner Frank R. , Király Gergely , Smirnov Sergey V. , Friesen Nikolai , Shmakov Alexander I. , Plenk Kristina , Batlai Oyuntsetseg , Hurka Herbert , Bernhardt Karl-Georg 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Euro-Siberian steppe flora consists of warm- and cold-adapted species, which may have responded differently to Pleistocene glacials and interglacials. Genotyping-by-sequencing individuals from across the distribution range of the pheasant’s eye (Adonis vernalis), we aimed to gain insight into steppe florogenesis based on the species’ evolutionary history. Although the primary area of origin of the species group comprising A. vernalis, A. villosa and A. volgensis is in Asia, our results indicate that recent populations of A. vernalis are not of Asian origin but evolved in the southern part of Europe during the Pleistocene, with Spanish populations clearly genetically distinct from the Southeastern European populations. We inferred that A. vernalis migrated eastwards from the sub-Mediterranean forest-steppes of Southeastern Europe into the continental forest-steppe zone. Eastern European populations had the highest private allelic richness, indicating long-term large population sizes in this region. As a thermophilic species, A. vernalis seems unlikely to have survived in the cold deserts of the Last Glacial Maximum in Western Siberia, so this region was likely (re)colonized postglacially. Overall, our results reinforce the importance of identifying the area of origin and the corresponding ecological requirements of steppe plants in order to understand the composition of today’s steppe flora.
Essential oils of plants and their combinations as an alternative adulticides against Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) populations
Authors: Balboné Mahamoudou , Sawadogo Ignace , Soma Dieudonné Diloma , Drabo Samuel Fogné , Namountougou Moussa , Bayili Koama , Romba Rahim , Meda Georges Benson , Nebié Honorat Charles Roger , Dabire Roch K. , Bassolé Imaël H. N. , Gnankine Olivier 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe persistence of malaria and the increasing of resistance of Anopheles gambiae species to chemicals remain major public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Faced to these concerns, the search for alternative vector control strategies as use of essential oils (EOs) need to be implemented. Here, the five EOs from Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Lippia multiflora, Ocimum americanum obtained by hydro distillation were tested according to World Health Organization procedures on An. gambiae “Kisumu” and field strains collected in “Vallée du Kou”. Also, the binary combinations of C. nardus (Cn) and O. americanum (Oa) were examined. As results, among the EOs tested, L. multiflora was the most efficient on both An. gambiae strains regarding KDT50 (50% of mosquitoes knock down time) and KDT95 and rate of morality values. Our current study showed that C8 (Cn 80%: Oa 20%) and C9 (Cn 90%: Oa 10%), were the most toxic to An. gambiae strain “Vallée de Kou” (VK) with the mortality rates reaching 80.7 and 100% at 1% concentration, respectively. These two binary combinations shown a synergistic effect on the susceptible population. However, only C9 gave a synergistic effect on VK population. The bioactivity of the two EOs, C. nardus and O. americanum, was improved by the combinations at certain proportions. The resistance ratios of all EOs and of the combinations were low (< 5). The combinations of C. nardus and O. americanum EOs at 90: 10 ratio and to a lesser extent L. multiflora EO, could be used as alternative bio-insecticides against malaria vectors resistant to pyrethroids in vector control programmes.
An isolated population reveals greater genetic structuring of the Australian dingo
Authors: Stephens Danielle , Fleming Peter J. S. , Sawyers Emma , Mayr Tim P. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe Australian dingo is a recent anthropogenic addition to the Australian fauna, which spread rapidly across the continent and has since widely interbred with modern dogs. Genetic studies of dingoes have given rise to speculation about their entry to the continent and subsequent biogeographic effects, but few studies of their contemporary population structure have been conducted. Here we investigated the dingo ancestry and population structure of free-living dogs in western Victoria and contrasted it with a wider southern Australian sample. We wished to determine whether their geographic isolation was mirrored in genetic isolation. To address this question, we analysed 34 microsatellite markers using Bayesian clustering and discriminant analysis of principal components, and summarised genetic diversity at the population and individual level. The broader southern Australia sample (n = 1138) comprised mostly hybrid animals, with 30% considered pure dingoes. All western Victorian individuals (n = 59) appeared to be hybrids with high dingo ancestry. The population showed no evidence of admixture with other populations and low genetic diversity on all measures tested. Based upon our characterisation of this unusual mainland population, we advise against assuming homogeneity of dingoes across the continent.
Analysis of amplification and association polymorphisms in the bovine beta-defensin 129 (BBD129) gene revealed its function in bull fertility
Authors: Solanki Subhash , Kashyap Poonam , Ali Syed Azmal , Kumar Vijay , Vats Ashutosh , Pukhrambam Martina , Kumar Rakesh , De Sachinandan , Datta Tirtha Kumar 
Published: November 2022

Abstractβ-defensins are adsorbable on the sperm surface in the male reproductive tract (MRT) and enhance sperm functional characteristics. The beta-defensin 129 (DEFB129) antimicrobial peptide is involved in sperm maturation, motility, and fertilization. However, its role in bovine fertility has not been well investigated. This study examines the relationship between the bovine BBD129 gene and Bos indicus x Bos taurus bull fertility. The complete coding sequence of BBD129 mRNA was identified by RNA Ligase Mediated-Rapid Amplification of cDNA End (RLM-RACE) and Sanger sequencing methodologies. It consisted of 582 nucleotides (nts) including 5' untranslated region (UTR) (46nts) and 3'UTR (23nts). It conserves all beta-defensin-like features. The expression level of BBD129 was checked by RT-qPCR and maximal expression was detected in the corpus—epididymis region compared to other parts of MRT. Polymorphism in BBD129 was also confirmed by Sanger sequencing of 254 clones from 5 high fertile (HF) and 6 low fertile (LF) bulls at two positions, 169 T > G and 329A > G, which change the S57A and N110S in the protein sequence respectively. These two mutations give rise to four types of BBD129 haplotypes. The non-mutated TA-BBD129 (169 T/329A) haplotype was substantially more prevalent among high-fertile bulls (P < 0.005), while the double-site mutated GG-BBD129 (169 T > G/329A > G) haplotype was significantly more prevalent among low-fertile bulls (P < 0.005). The in silico analysis confirmed that the polymorphism in BBD129 results in changes in mRNA secondary structure, protein conformations, protein stability, extracellular-surface availability, post-translational modifications (O-glycosylation and phosphorylation), and affects antibacterial and immunomodulatory capabilities. In conclusion, the mRNA expression of BBD129 in the MRT indicates its region-specific dynamics in sperm maturation. BBD129 polymorphisms were identified as the deciding elements accountable for the changed proteins with impaired functionality, contributing to cross-bred bulls' poor fertility.
Influence of the filler distribution on PDMS-graphene based nanocomposites selected properties
Authors: Łapińska Anna , Grochowska Natalia , Antonowicz Jerzy , Michalski Przemysław , Dydek Kamil , Dużyńska Anna , Daniszewska Agata , Ojrzyńska Milena , Zeranska Klaudia , Zdrojek Mariusz 
Published: November 2022

AbstractInsufficient homogeneity is one of the pressing problems in nanocomposites’ production as it largely impairs the properties of materials with relatively high filler concentration. Within this work, it is demonstrated how selected mixing techniques (magnetic mixer stirring, calendaring and microfluidization) affect filler distribution in poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graphene based nanocomposites and, consequently, their properties. The differences were assessed via imaging and thermal techniques, i.a. Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. As microfluidization proved to provide the best homogenization, it was used to prepare nanocomposites of different filler concentration, whose structural and thermal properties were investigated. The results show that the concentration of graphene significantly affects polymer chain mobility, grain sizes, defect density and cross-linking level. Both factors considered in this work considerably influence thermal stability and other features which are crucial for application in electronics, EMI shielding, thermal interface materials etc.
Influence of the coiling porosity on the risk reduction of the cerebral aneurysm rupture: computational study
Authors: Sheidani Armin , Barzegar Gerdroodbary M. , Poozesh Amin , Sabernaeemi Amir , Salavatidezfouli Sajad , Hajisharifi Arash 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe formation and progress of cerebral aneurysm is highly associated with hemodynamic factors and blood flow feature. In this study, comprehensive efforts are done to investigate the blood hemodynamic effects on the creation and growth of the Internal Carotid Artery. The computational fluid dynamic method is used for the visualization of the bloodstream inside the aneurysm. Transitional, non-Newtonian and incompressible conditions are considered for solving the Navier–Stokes equation to achieve the high-risk region on the aneurysm wall. OSI and WSS of the aneurysm wall are compared within different blood flow stages. The effects of blood viscosity and coiling treatment on these factors are presented in this work. Our study shows that in male patients (HCT = 0.45), changing the porosity of coiling from 0.89 with 0.79 would decreases maximum OSI up to 75% (in maximum acceleration). However, this effect is limited to about 45% for female patients (HCT = 0.35).