bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Characteristics of China's Arid Region across Spatial and Temporal in the Background of Global Warming and ENSO
Authors: Qi Zhanshuo , Jiang Yutong , Ju Juanli , Guo Ning , Cui Chenfeng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Arid region is sensitive to changes in precipitation, while global warming and El Niño-Southern Oscillation strongly influence worldwide hydrometeorological processes. Temporal and spatial changes of characteristics including precipitation, annual mean temperature and area in China's arid region were analyzed, using daily precipitation and temperature data from 117 meteorological stations of 1961-2016. The results show that: (1) During the past 56 years, the precipitation in the arid region have shown an increasing trend. The annual and quarterly precipitation all exist a cycle of about 4 years. (2) The area of ​​the arid region has been on a downward trend since 1968, decreased significantly after 1998. There are two main cycles of 13 years and 5 years in the area of ​​arid region. During the study period, the center of the arid region’s precipitation moved 0.14° to the north and 0.77° to the east. (3) During the past 56 years, increasing of the arid region’s temperature has been more obvious than the average temperature increasing in China. In 1990, the annual average temperature in arid region changed from a decreasing trend to an increasing trend and there is a negative correlation between the area of arid region and the annual mean temperature, which is significant at the 0.01 level. (4) The degree of precipitation response to ENSO in the eastern part of the arid region is more obvious than that in the western part. El Niño events extended the size of China's arid region and increased the average precipitation in the arid region. The precipitation of the east increased more than the west. And La Niña events significantly reduced the area of ​​the arid region, with more precipitation than the average in the eastern part and less precipitation in the western part. The impact of ENSO is one of the reasons for the arid region's center of precipitation shifting eastward.
Infrared and Visible image fusion using LatLRR and ResNet
Authors: Prema G. , Arivazhagan S. , Aishwarya C. , Dharani S. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Image fusion is a notable concern in the image processing field which helps to produce a resultant image by amalgamating all the features from one or more source images. We envisioned an infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) image fusion technique combining (Latent Low Rank Representation) LatLRR and ResNet to mitigate the loss of contrast, texture, spectral, and spatial details in the resultant image. The fused image seems to be more appropriate and obvious for human and machine vision perception. Using LatLRR, the source images are initially broken down into saliency and latent low rank parts. Then, using weighted-average method, the Latent Low Rank components are integrated. Fusion approach based on deep features is used to overcome the problem of information lost by using RESNET to extract multilayer features for the saliency part as this network has a skip connection which helps to gather information from every layer. After that, the deep features are normalized by nuclear norm, and preliminary weight maps are generated. Combining the original weight maps with a Soft-Max operation yields the final-weight maps. At last, by summing the fused Latent Low Rank component and the Saliency content, the fused image will be reconstructed. Both visual and quantitative performance evaluation is done for the proposed method with five existing methods and it is inferred from the results that the proposed method can well reconstruct the fused image without haloes and artifacts.
Adsorption of fungal ice-binding proteins to whole ice crystal surface is deficient for high thermal hysteresis activity but strongly inhibits ice recrystallization
Authors: Arai Tatsuya , Yamauchi Akari , Yang Yue , Singh Shiv Mohan , Sasaki Yuji C. , Tsuda Sakae 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Many psychrophilic microorganisms synthesize ice-binding proteins (IBPs) for their cold-survival. The function of IBP is evaluated by its effect on the nonequilibrium water freezing-point depression called “thermal hysteresis (TH)” and inhibitory effect on the growth of numerous ice crystals called “ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI)”. To obtain mechanical insight of the two activities, here we developed a modified method of ice affinity purification and extracted two new IBP isoforms from Arctic glacier fungus Psychromyces glacialis. It was found that one isoform is approximately 25 kDa protein (PsgIBP_S), while the other is a 28 kDa larger protein (PsgIBP_L) that constructs an intermolecular dimer. Their TH activities were less than 1 °C at millimolar concentrations, implying that both isoforms are designated as the moderately active but not the hyperactive IBP species. It further appeared that both isoforms exhibit high ice-recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity even at sub-micromolar concentrations. Furthermore, they are capable of binding to whole surface of a hemispherical single ice crystal, although such manner of ice-binding was generally observed for hyperactive IBP species. These results suggest that IBP’s binding ability to whole ice crystal surface is deficient for the hyperactivity but is crucial for the significant IRI activity.
Matrine induces V-ATPase-dependent cytoplasmic vacuolation derived from lysosome and inhibits lysosome function in leukemia cells
Authors: Yang Fanfan , Zhong Wangjing , Cao Jialin , Tan Junyu , Li Bohong , Ma Lingdi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Matrine is a main component extracted from legumes and has extensive anti-cancer effects, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. In our study, we found that matrine can induce vacuolation of leukemia cells, whose occurrence was closely related to inhibition of cell proliferation. Interestingly, the vacuolization was reversed after the removal of matrine. Matrine-induced vacuoles are acidic in nature, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) revealed that these vacuoles mainly derived from the lysosome, the vacuoles acquire some characteristics of lysosome (LAMP1). RNA-seq showed that the expression of vacuolation-related genes and lysosomal-related genes were up-regulated, and the two parts highly overlapped. Western Blot and FACS confirmed that matrine inhibits the expression and activity of intracellular proteolytic enzymes. RT-qPCR and Western Blot showed that matrine significantly up-regulated the expression levels of V-ATPase subunit genes in cells, and V-ATPase inhibitor significantly reversed the occurrence of cell vacuoles. It is suggested that V-ATPase plays an important role in matrine-induced vacuoles. The molecular structure of matrine was further analyzed, and the protonation of matrine in lysosomes to activate V-ATPase may be the direct cause of the vacuoles, and it is also a new molecular mechanism of matrine against the proliferation of leukemia cells.
The influence of partner appearance in the assessment of a person with obesity. An experimental study
Authors: Magallares Alejandro , Peréz-Garín Daniel , Recio Patricia , Molero Fernando 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: This study analyses whether knowing that an obese individual has a romantic relationship with a normal weight person improves impressions about him. Methods: An online experiment was conducted with a sample of 3,024 adult participants (1,828 women and 1,196 men) with a mean age of 36.11 (SD = 13.49). Each participant was shown two photographs: one of a male target with obesity and one of his female partner (who had either normal weight or obesity depending on the condition). The respondents’ gender was added as a fixed factor into the analyses. Physical attractiveness was rated using an item with a scale ranging from 0 to 100. Competence, warmth, and morality were measured using a 17-item adjective list.Results: The target was assessed as more attractive when he had a partner with normal weight (F(1, 3009) = 4.85, p = .028, η2 = .002), and was also given higher scores for competence (F(1, 3009) = 4.93, p = .026, η2= .002), warmth (F(1, 3009) = 4.32, p = .038, η2 = .001), and morality (F(1, 3009) = 11.16, p = .001, η2 = .004). There was a significant interaction between partner weight and the respondents’ gender for physical attractiveness, as the difference between the scores in each condition was only significant for women. Conclusion: It is possible that women perceived that the target who had a normal weight partner had a higher status or some hidden quality besides his physical appearance, and thus rated him as more attractive. Level of evidence: Level I, experimental study.
Attending pediatric acutely ill patients at home: families’ socioeconomic characterization, expectations, and experience
Authors: Batlle Astrid , Thió-Henestrosa Santiago , López Sandra , Moya Isabel , Fernández José Carlos , Fernandez-Sevilla Mariona , García-García Juan José 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
To have a thorough understanding of an acute pediatric homecare program, it is essential to analyze all factors related to the matter: medical, social, economic, and families’ experience. No studies have been found describing profusely this topic in such a complex program like ours (considering diseases and treatments offered). With this study, we will obtain a fine population characterization and families’ needs understanding. This will contribute to a better knowledge of our program and the detection of its possible deficiencies.
Methods
This is a prospective quantitative and qualitative study. 372/532 families are asked to answer two independent questionnaires (preadmission and postadmission), aimed to: understand their socioeconomic characteristics; assess families’ expectations and experience; and identify factors influencing the homecare preference. Results are presented in frequencies and comparisons (Fisher’s exact test).
Results
Families have an adequate social network; workload is less than expected and most families would repeat the experience despite it; expectations regarding caregiver’s well-being at home were better than the actual situation, as some experienced anxiety or fear; and rating is better in homecare compared with inpatient care.
Conclusions
Despite limitations (participants’ voluntariness to respond the surveys and lack of inpatient hospitalization’s socioeconomic data to compare with homecare), this study offers the possibility of improving our service portfolio, focusing on vulnerable families’ access to the program and caregiver’s risk of burnout.
Early SGLT2 Inhibitor Use is Associated with Improved Left Atrial Reservoir and Contractile Function Following Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sehly Amro , He Albert , Ihdayhid Abdul Rahman , Grey Christine , O’Connor Scott , Green Gillian , Erickson Matthew , Rankin James M. , Fegan P. Gerry , Yeap Bu B. , Dwivedi Girish , S.R Nick 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Left atrial (LA) strain, a novel marker of LA function, reliably predicts diastolic dysfunction and outperforms conventional parameters. SGLT2 inhibitors improve heart failure outcomes, but limited data exists regarding their use in the immediate aftermath of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We studied the effect of empagliflozin on LA strain in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and ACS.
Methods
Patients with ACS and T2D were identified and empagliflozin was initiated in eligible patients prior to discharge. Patients not initiated on empagliflozin were analysed as a comparator group. A blinded investigator assessed LA strain using baseline and 3–6 month follow-up echocardiograms.
Results
Forty-four participants (n = 22 each group) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were similar (age 60.8 ± 9.5 vs 65.1 ± 10.4 years, LA volume 32.2 ± 9.4ml/m2 vs 35.2 ± 11.6ml/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction 51.1 ± 11.3% vs 54.9 ± 10.8%; p = NS) in the two groups, except HbA1c was higher in empagliflozin group (9.8 ± 1.6% vs 6.6 ± 0.7%, p < 0.001). Baseline LA strain was similar between groups (reservoir 28.0 ± 8.4% vs 29.2 ± 6.7%, conduit 14.5 ± 5.4% vs 12.8 ± 4.2%, contractile 13.5 ± 5.2% vs 16.5 ± 5.3%; p = NS). LA reservoir, conduit and contractile strain increased in empagliflozin group (28.0 ± 8.4% to 34.6 ± 12.2% p < 0.001, 14.5 ± 5.4% to 16.7 ± 7.0% p = 0.034, 13.5 ± 5.2% to 17.9 ± 7.2% p = 0.005 respectively) but remained unchanged in comparison group (29.2 ± 6.7% to 28.8 ± 7.0%, 12.8 ± 4.2% to 13.3 ± 4.7%, 16.7 ± 5.3% to 15.5 ± 4.5% respectively, p = NS). The difference in change between groups was significant for LA reservoir (p = 0.003) and contractile strain (p = 0.005).
Conclusion
In patients with ACS and T2D, addition of empagliflozin to standard ACS therapy prior to discharge is associated with improved LA function. Larger studies are warranted to determine clinical implications.
Imipramine can be effective on depressive-like behaviors, but not on neurotrophic factors levels in an animal model of bipolar disorder induced by ouabain
Authors: Della Taise Possamai , Dal-Pont Gustavo C. , Resende Wilson R. , Aguiar-Geraldo Jorge M. , Peper-Nascimento Jefté , Quevedo João , Valvassori Samira S. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Despite the risk of mania switch to long-term administration of antidepressants in bipolar disorder (BD) patients, an acute administration of these drugs can help in depressive episodes. Furthermore, alterations in neurotrophic factor levels seem to be part of the BD’s physiopathology. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of acute treatment of imipramine on behavior and neurotrophins levels in rats submitted to the animal model of BD induced by ouabain. Methods: Wistar rats received a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid or ouabain. The rats were treated for 14 days with saline, lithium, or valproate. On the 13th and 14th days of treatment, the animals received an additional injection of saline or imipramine. Behavior tests were evaluated seven and 14 days after ICV injection. Adrenal gland weight and levels of ACTH were evaluated. Levels of BDNF, NGF, NT-3, and GDNF were measured in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Results: The administration of ouabain induced mania- and depressive-like behavior in the animals seven and 14 days after ICV, respectively. The treatment with lithium and valproate reversed the mania-like behavior. All treatments were able to reverse most of the depressive-like behaviors induced by ouabain. Moreover, ouabain increased HPA-axis parameters in serum and decreased the neurotrophin levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. All treatments, except imipramine, reversed these alterations. Conclusion: It can be suggested that acute administration of IMI alone can be effective on depressive-like symptoms but not on neurotrophic factors alterations present in BD.
Construction and validation of a nomogram for predicting recurrence of diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Gong Yuxi , Yan Haitao , Yang Yefan , Zhai Boya , Huang Zhendong , Zhang Zhihong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purposes: To explore recurrence-risk factors of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and construct a risk nomogram for predicting recurrence and risk stratification.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 228 DLBCL patients who achieved complete remission after initial treatment between January 2015 and December 2019. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to identify recurrence-related risk factors from the pretreatment evaluation factors covering patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, serological indicators, pathological and immunohistochemical results. A nomogram was developed based on the above results and validated by the concordance index (C-index), the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the calibration curve. Results: Fifty of 228(21.9%) cases recurred during follow-up. Three recurrence-risk factors including BCL2 expression (P=0.013), Ann Arbor stage (P=0.011), LDH level (P=0.038) were identified from multivariate analysis and entered the final nomogram “ABL-nomogram”. The C-index of the ABL-nomogram was 0.808, higher than that of IPI system (0.717) and NCCN-IPI system (0.714). And the 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year areas under ROC(AUC) were 0.851, 0.859, 0.843, and 0.791, respectively. The calibration curves also showed a good discrimination capability and accuracy. DLBCL could be divided into four subgroups (G1, G2, G3, G4) with significant differences in recurrence risk based on the total points calculated from ABL-nomogram. Conclusions: ABL-nomogram incorporating the three independent risk factors (BCL2 expression, Ann Arbor stage and LDH level) for DLBCL recurrence, had a better ability to assist risk stratification and identify DLBCL patients with high recurrence risk than IPI system or NCCN-IPI system.
Model of a Sugar Factory with Fully Automated Production of Amino Acids and Amino Acid-Pressed Beet Pulp Pellets
Authors: Bayuome Emad Mohamed 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The key factor in the industrial production process for the manufacture of the amino acid from the sugar industry is the industrial scale-up. To investigate the impact of the different geometry and physical conditions parameters on an industrial process several techniques such as computational fluid dynamics and scale down approaches have been applied. Process modeling can support the design and the optimization of all these processes. Model, considering the process operative parameters and process stoichiometry, using the data from Egypt Sugar Industry, give an estimation of the process efficiency, the product quality, selectivity as well as the condition for an optimal yield. Combining the results obtained by the model with the data obtained by the scale down devices, the optimal process configuration was identified in an early phase of development to achieve that not only the valuable amino acids can be recovered from soft beet juice, but also the fluid sugar simultaneously satisfies all requirements for the subsequent processes of sugar manufacturing. In this case, the choice of an ion exchanger is associated with the development of a method for extracting amino acids based on the study of the dynamic patterns of sorption and desorption, depending on a number of factors. These include: the shape of the ion exchanger, the degree of its granulation and cross-linking; parameters of ion-exchange columns; flow rate and temperature of working solutions; efficiency of the eluent. Furthermore, for maximizing the utilization of the amino acids extract was added to the beet pulp for producing amino acid-pressed beet pulp (APBP) to be used as integrated animal fodder with highly nutritional value and subsequently high marketing value. The obtained results were indicated the overall recovery yields of 17 amino acids extracted from beet juice were 5.85% respect to dry substance and the percent of the elimination were 98.5%.
Physico-chemical proprieties of Almond residues (Shells &amp; hulls) collected from the northern region of Morocco (Fez-Meknes)
Authors: BOULIKA Hamza , HAJAM Maryam EL , NABIH Meryem HAJJI , KANDRI Noureddine IDRISSI , Zerouale Abdelaziz 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
In Morocco, the Almond sector is among the most developed agricultural activities since 2008, which has seen its area increases by 13% in less than 4 years. The industrial transformation of this fruit has not ceased to develop, leaving behind 80% of products, which are generally incinerated or dumped in nature. Their valorization becomes a necessity to protect the environment and even to bring an additional value to them. This work aims at characterizing the industrial residues of Almonds from Fez- Meknes region, namely the Almond Hull (AH) and the Almond Shell (AS), by ICP- AES, SEM-EDX, TG-DTG, DRX and FTIR. The structural morphology of AH shows fibrous appearance, while that of AS is characterized by the existence of cavities in the form of holes and pores. A high content of extractives was noted for AH, however AS are rich of lignocellulosic compounds. The crystallinity index of Cellulose I has been studied and a total mass loss of 90% for AH and 95% for AS has been obtained after Thermogravimetric analysis at 800°C.This study has helped to clarify the different physico-chemical properties of this type of waste in order to open the way to appropriate applications.
Predictive value of serum YKL-40 for major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days after PCI for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Fang Caoyang , Chen Zhenfei , Zhang Jing , Pan Jianyuan , Jin Xiaoqin , Yang Mengsi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of serum YKL-40 for major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days after PCI for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods In this study, 120 patients with STEMI admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from October 2020 to February 2022 were included. All patients received cubital venous blood sampling before PCI to detect serum YKL-40 concentration. Patients were followed up for 30 days after PCI and divided into the MACE group (n = 27) and Non-MACE group (n = 93) according to whether MACE occurred. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of serum YKL-40 on MACE within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients. The predictive value of serum YKL-40 for the occurrence of MACE within 30 days after PCI in patients with STEMI was assessed by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve of MACE occurring 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients. Results Serum YKL-40 levels were higher in patients in the MACE group than in patients in the Non-MACE group (1431.08±445.31 vs 1028.28±558.47 ng/dL, P < 0.05); Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum YKL-40 was an independent risk factor for MACE events within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients (OR = 1.002, 95% CI 1.001 – 1.002, P = 0.003); ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of serum YKL-40 was 0.768, the sensitivity was 0.741, the specificity was 0.763, and the optimal cutoff value was 1383.91 ng/dL in predicting the risk of MACE events within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients; Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the MACE-free survival rate at 30 days after PCI decreased with increasing serum YKL-40 levels in STEMI patients (Log-Rank P = 0.011). Conclusions Serum YKL-40 is associated with short-term prognosis in patients with STEMI. High serum YKL-40 levels can be used as a predictor of MACE within 30 days after PCI in STEMI patients.