bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Superplasticizer and Pozzolan on the Fresh and Hardened States of Crushed Limestone Sand Concrete
Authors: Barkat Mohamed , Mezghiche Bouzidi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the effects of a superplasticizer and the addition of pozzolan on the fresh and hardened states of crushed limestone sand concrete. On the one hand, it's a matter of proposing concrete mixes that replace natural sand (river sand) with crushed sand, and on the other, it's a matter of attempting to improve the qualities of the concrete thus produced. In this respect, three variants of crushed limestone sand have been proposed from the same quarry, including: sand without modification (in its initial state), sand sieved through a sieve of 0.16 mm size and washed sand; further for the comparison, natural sand is used as control. A superplasticizer and a pozzolan addition were also used for better performance.The results show that the crushed sand concrete mixes produced have mechanical strengths comparable to natural sand concrete mixes. Best mechanical strengths are those of concrete with a percentage of 12% of fine particles. Beneficial effects have been observed following the use of the superplasticizer and pozzolan, thus giving improved performance to crushed sand concrete both in its fresh and hardened states.
Central Venous Line Bundle Interventional Program: Effects on Patients’ Health Outcomes
Authors: Abd-Elsalam Shimaa Nabil Abd-Elsalam Nabil , Mostafa Heba Abd Elazeem Mostafa Abd Elazeem 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Central venous line-associated bloodstream infection is an important healthcare-associated infection in the critical care units. It causes substantial morbidity, mortality and incurs high costs. The use of a central venous line insertion bundle has been shown to decrease the incidence of infection.Method: The current study is a quasi-experimental study with pre-post assessment was utilized to achieve the aim of the study carried out in the cardio-thoracic Intensive Care Units affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospital. The study involved a health care team group (50 nurses and 27 physicians) and 220 patients (110 pre and 110 posts). Five data collection tools were used, namely physicians and nurses' assessment tools, observation checklist for nurse's practice, central venous catheter insertion audit tool, patient assessment sheet, and unit policy assessment checklist. The researcher developed a training program based on the findings of the assessment and implemented it to participants. The effect of the program was evaluated by comparing post with pre-intervention phase findings.Findings: Overall, all patients had some type of infection before the intervention, compared to 69.1% after the intervention (p<0.001). The lower mean of hospital stay in the post (6.0±0.1 days) compared to the pre (8.7±0.6 days) sample, (p<0.001).Conclusion: The implementation of a training program in the CVL bundle based on their identified needs is successful in effecting significant improvements in their knowledge and performance. This is positively reflected on patient outcomes as assessed by observation for local and systemic signs of infections, and objectively through microbiological cultures.
The effect of neostigmine on postoperative delirium after colon carcinoma surgery: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Bi Yanlin , Liu Fanghao , Lin Xu , Lin Yanan , Deng Xiyuan , Guo Yuwei , Wang Bin , Dong Rui 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a critical complication in patients accepting colon carcinoma surgery. Neostigmine, as a cholinesterase inhibitor, can enhance the transmission of cholinergic transmitters in synaptic space, and play an important role in maintaining the normal level of cognition, attention and consciousness. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of neostigmine on POD and clinical prognosis.Methods: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial was implemented in Qingdao Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University. A total of 454 patients aged 40 to 90 years old accepted colon carcinoma surgery were enrolled between June 7, 2020, and June 7, 2021, with final follow-up on December 8, 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the neostigmine group (group N) and the placebo group (group P), the patients in group N were injected with 0.04 mg/kg neostigmine and 0.02 mg/kg atropine intravenously. The primary endpoint was the incidence of POD, researchers evaluated the occurrence of POD by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) twice daily (at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) during the first 7 postoperative days, POD severity was assessed by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). The secondary endpoints were the extubating time, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) time, the incidence of various postoperative complications, length of hospital stays, and 6 months postoperative mortality.Results: The incidence of POD was 20.20% (81/401), including 19.39% (38/196) in group N and 20.98% (43/205) in group P. There was no significant statistical significance in the incidence of POD between group N and group P(P> 0.05); Compared to group P, the extubating time and PACU time in group N were significantly reduced (P< 0.001), the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (POPCs) decreased significantly in group N (P< 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in postoperative hospital stay and mortality in 6 months between the two groups (P> 0.05).Conclusion: For patients accepted colon carcinoma surgery, neostigmine did not significantly reduce the incidence of POD, postoperative mortality and postoperative hospital stay, while it indeed reduced the extubating time, PACU time and the incidence of POPCs.Trial Registration: The randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was registered retrospectively at www.chictr.org.cn on 07/06/2020 (ChiCTR2000033639).
A Novel Strategy Combining Mini-CEX and OSCE to Assess Standardized Training of Professional Postgraduates in Department of Prosthodontics
Authors: Niu Lin , Mei Yukun , Xu Xiaoqiao , Guo Yi , Li Zhen , Dong Shaojie , Liu Ruirui 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objective
Mini clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) are widely acknowledged as effective measures of resident standardization training (RST) in European and American countries. However, in China primary mini-CEX and OSCE forms are mainly limited in undergraduate clinical examination. Little knowledge is available regarding the validity and right way of mini-CEX /OSCE evaluation system in advanced dental clinical education so far. This study aimed to explore whether combination of mini-CEX and OSCE represents a global-dimension assessment for postgraduate clinical competence in RST.
Methods
Postgraduates who received RST from June 2017 to June 2019 were selected and evaluated by modified mini-CEX/OSCE scales. Each student received evaluations at least twice in the initial and final stages of training (tested every 4 months). A questionnaire was conducted to investigate the satisfaction with the arrangement of RST.
Results
Mini-CEX/OSCE test results indicated that postgraduates have significantly improved their comprehensive competence in RST projects in the department of prosthodontics (P < 0.05). Compared to other master of Stomatology students, postgraduates taking up prosthodontics master’s degree have made more progresses through a training period of up to 1 year and four sessions of face-to-face feedback tutoring (P < 0.05). Survey results revealed high level of satisfaction on clinical practice evaluation.
Conclusion
Modified mini-CEX/OSCE combined evaluation system is an effective and reliable assessment tool for clinical comprehensive ability in the RST of professional graduates and can fully highlight their respective advantages on the improvement of students’ clinical competency, especially after several rounds of assessments.
1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 treatment reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in reflux esophagitis in rats
Authors: Wei Jingjing , Zhang Jun , Jiang Ying , Lian Tingting , Zhang Peihong , Zhuang Zehao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder with a considerably high prevalence across the world. Reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus can cause irritation and inflammation of the esophagus and progress into reflux esophagitis (RE). Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects and plays an important regulatory role in adaptability and innate immunity. Therefore, we hypothesized that VitD3 may play a protective role in RE. A total of 70 male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to surgically induce acute RE(n = 35) or chronic RE (n = 35), and to examine effects of different doses of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3(VitD3) on morphological changes and alteration of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Macrographic and histopathological examinations revealed various degrees of esophageal impairment in rats following surgical induction of acute or chronic RE, whereas morphologic grading of esophageal mucosa showed no significant difference between groups. The protein expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 was significantly increased in the rats with acute or chronic RE compared with rats that received sham-surgery. Vit D3 treatment significantly reduced the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in both the low-dose and high-dose VitD3 groups compared with the control group in acute RE. Although no morphologic and histopathologic changes were observed, these novel findings suggest a potential protective role of VitD3 in RE at an early stage.
Identification of phenylketonuria patient genotypes using single-gene full-length sequencing
Authors: Gao Jinshuang , Li Xiaole , Yu Haiyang , Guo Yaqing , Song Liying , Fang Yang , Yuan Erfeng , Shi Qianqian , Zhao Dehua , Yuan Enwu , Zhang Linlin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a common, autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by PAH gene variants. After routine genetic analysis methods were applied, approximately 5% of PKU patients were still not diagnosed with a definite genotype.Methods: In this study, for the first time, we identified PKU patients with unknown genotypes via single-gene full-length sequencing.Results: The detection rate of PKU genotype increased from 94.6% to 99.4%, an increase of approximately 5%. The variants c.1199+502A>T and 1065+241C>A were found at a high frequency in Chinese PKU patients.Conclusion: Our study suggest that single-gene full-length sequencing is a rapid, efficient and cost-effective tool to improve the genotype detection rate of PKU patients. Moreover, we provides additional case data to support pathogenicity of deep intronic variants in PAH.
Resource selection of free-ranging goats and potential behavioral mechanisms
Authors: Cheng Hua , Jin Bao-Cheng , Luo Kai , Zhang Xue-Li , Pei Jiu-Ying , Tang Jia-Qi , Zhang Yong-Hong , Sun Guo-Jun , Li Feng-Min , Wu Xinyuan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Herbivores rarely move and forage randomly in rangelands. They tend to move in ways that balance energy acquisition from food intake and energy expenditure to find food, which are generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors respectively. However, few studies have explored the relative importance of energy acquisition and expenditure in the foraging behavior of livestock or wild angulates in the absence of predation and human disturbance. There is also limited understanding of the trade-offs between forage quality and quantity and its implications to foraging behaviors of livestock. Methods: Satellite remote sensing, vegetation surveys, and GPS-tracking of 181 free-ranging Zhongwei goats over five years (2013-2017) were used to assess how biotic and abiotic factors affect the spatiotemporal distribution of free-ranging goats when foraging in the semiarid grassland of Loess Plateau. Results: The goats tended to use gentler slopes throughout the year which likely reduced energy expenditure. The spatial distributions of goats, however, primarily responded to the spatiotemporal variation of biotic factors rather than abiotic factors of elevation, slope and solar radiation. They preferentially used areas with higher forage quantity in the spring, areas of higher forage quality and quantity in summer, areas of higher quality in terms of abundance of palatable species in autumn, and areas of higher forage quantity in the winter. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, energy acquisition is of priority to energy expenditure in the foraging process for the Zhongwei goats. The preferences of the goats for forage quality or quantity vary with forage availability, selecting for higher forage quality when the forage is plentiful and for higher forage quantity otherwise. Better understanding of the patterns and drivers of spatiotemporal distribution of the goats can improve our ability to predict foraging behavior of livestock in heterogeneous environment and lead to better management practices and policy for sustainability of these arid landscapes and associated ecosystem services.
Combined roles of exporters in acetic acid tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zhang Xiaohuan , Nijland Jeroen G. , Driessen Arnold J. M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Acetic acid is a growth inhibitor generated during alcoholic fermentation and pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, a major feedstock to produce bioethanol. An understanding of the acetic acid tolerance mechanisms is pivotal for the industrial production of bioethanol. One of the mechanisms for acetic acid tolerance is transporter-mediated secretion where individual transporters have been implicated. Here, we deleted the transporters Aqr1, Tpo2, and Tpo3, in various combinations, to investigate their combined role in acetic acid tolerance. Single transporter deletions did not impact the tolerance at mild acetic acid stress (20 mM), but at severe stress (50 mM) growth was decreased or impaired. Tpo2 plays a crucial role in acetic acid tolerance, while the AQR1 deletion has a least effect on growth and acetate efflux.. Deletion of both Tpo2 and Tpo3 enhanced the severe growth defects at 20 mM acetic acid concomitantly with a reduced rate of acetate secretion, while TPO2 and/or TPO3 overexpression in ∆tpo2∆tpo3∆ restored the tolerance. In the deletion strains, the acetate derived from sugar metabolism accumulated intracellularly, while gene expression analysis suggests that under these conditions, ethanol metabolism is activated while acetic acid production is reduced. The data demonstrate that Tpo2 and Tpo3 together fulfil an important role in acetate efflux and the acetic acid response.
HSP-17 protects H9c2 cells against oxidative stress injury and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Zhang Hao , Feng Mengwen , Ding Jingjing , Zhang Li , Qian Ling-Mei 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress and apoptosis play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury. HSP-17 is a peptide that is expressed at low levels in DOX-treated mouse heart tissue. It has high bioactivity and interspecies sequence consistency and is predicted to have a myocardial protective effect.Methods: First, we added 1 μM DOX to H9c2 cell culture medium and incubated the cells for 24 hours to construct a myocardial cytotoxicity model. Then, we detected the effect of HSP-17 on DOX-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury by measuring cell viability and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, we used ROS and JC-1 kits to evaluate the effect of HSP-17 on oxidative stress injury in cardiomyocytes induced by DOX. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses were utilized to detect the level of apoptosis. Finally, we detected the protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway members by western blotting and demonstrated the cardioprotective mechanism of HSP-17.Results: We obtained evidence that the HSP-17 peptide can increase cell viability, reduce LDH levels, and reduce ROS and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, we provide evidence that HSP-17 upregulates the expression level of p-Akt in a DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury model and that LY294002 (LY), a typical inhibitor of PI3K/Akt, eliminates the protective roles of HSP-17.Conclusions: In conclusion, we have elucidated, for the first time, that the HSP-17 peptide protects H9c2 cells against DOX-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, providing a new idea for the therapy of DOX-induced myocardial injury.
Improving the Success Rate of Quantum Algorithm Attacking RSA Encryption System
Authors: Dong Yumin , Liu Hengrui , Fu Yanying , Che Xuanxuan , Liu Cheng , Sun Lina , Wen Guangrui 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The task of Shor’s factorization algorithm (SFA) is to find a non-trivial factor of a given composite number N. In the algorithm, it is explicitly required that the constructor f (x) = a x mod N cycle is an even number, otherwise it returns to the algorithm header to recalculate. According to the analysis of the principle of SFA, the characteristics of RSA public key cryptosystem and a large number of calculation results, the random selection of a value is related to the obtained period. Aiming at this defect, a new optimization scheme is proposed on the basis of the previous optimization, and the odd cycle obtained when a is a perfect square number randomly becomes effective. When the arbitrarily chosen value of a obtains a period that is a multiple of 3, by modifying the decomposition method, the requirements for the period are relaxed without affecting the algorithm complexity. Using the classic algorithm, we experimentally prove the effectiveness of the improved algorithm, and the new algorithm significantly reduces the probability of repeated operations.
Detection and Treatment of Lung Adenocarcinoma at Pre-/minimally Invasive Stage: Is It Lead-time Bias?
Authors: Ma Zelin , Wang Zezhou , Li Yuan , Zhang Yang , Chen haiquan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objectives: This study investigates whether lead-time bias contributes to the excellent survival of AIS and MIA.Methods: We enrolled patients with resected adenocarcinoma from 2008-2012. Age, sex, smoke history, surgical approach, radiological features, invasive stage and postoperative follow-up data were documented. 1:1 PSM was performed to balance the influence of sex and smoking status on survival. After matching, the average age of two groups was compared to calculate the lead time of diagnosis. The gain in life years for adenocarcinoma diagnosed at pre-/minimally invasive stage was estimated by subtracting the “lead time” and “median survival year of IAC” from “the life expectancy of AIS/MIA patients” referring to Centre for Health and Information. Results: There were 124 AIS/MIA patients and 1148 IAC patients. The frequency of female and never-smoking patients in AIS/MIA group was much higher than that in IAC group. PSM analysis identified 124 patient pairs. No cancer-related death and recurrence were observed among AIS/MIA patients in 5 years after surgery. For IAC patients, 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 73.5% and median survival is 13.5 years. The average age of AIS/MIA group and IAC group are 53.6 years and 58.2 years, respectively. The lead time between diagnosis of AIS/MIA and IAC is 4.6 years. Referring to Centre for Health and Information, the life expectancy of patients with AIS/MIA diagnosed at 53.6 years old is 28.9 years. With adjustment for the lead time, the gain in life years for adenocarcinoma diagnosed at pre-/minimally invasive stage is 10.8 years. Conclusions: With adjustment for the lead time between diagnosis of AIS/MIA and IAC, resecting lung adenocarcinoma at pre-/minimally invasive stage can improve life expectancy. The excellent survival of AIS/MIA is not lead time bias.
Epidemic risk assessment from geographic population density
Authors: Celestini Alessandro , Colaiori Francesca , Guarino Stefano , Mastrostefano Enrico , Zastrow Lena Rebecca 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The geographic distribution of the population on a region is a significant ingredient in shaping the spatial and temporal evolution of an epidemic outbreak. Heterogeneity in the population density directly impacts the local relative risk: the chances that a specific area is reached by the contagion depend on its local density and connectedness to the rest of the region. We consider an epidemic spreading in an urban territory subdivided into tiles (i.e., census blocks) of given population and demographic profile. We use the relative attack rate and the first infection time of a tile to quantify local severity and timing: how much and how fast the outbreak will impact any given area. Assuming that the contact rate of any two individuals depends on their household distance, we identify a suitably defined geographical centrality that measures the average connectedness of an area as an efficient indicator for local riskiness.
Safety of stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with moderate to severe aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Salatzki Janek , Ochs Andreas , Kirchgäßner Nadja , Heins Jannick , Seitz Sebastian , Hund Hauke , Mereles Derliz , Friedrich Matthias G. , Katus Hugo A. , Frey Norbert , André Florian , Ochs Marco M. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Aims: Dobutamine and adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are relatively contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe AS. We aimed to determine the safety of dobutamine and adenosine stress CMR in patients with moderate to severe AS.Methods: In this retrospective study patients with AS who underwent either dobutamine or adenosine stress CMR between January 2009 and December 2021 for exclusion of obstructive CAD were enrolled. We recorded clinical data, CMR and echocardiography findings and side effects (major complications, minor complications and complaints). Patients with AS were compared to matched individuals without AS.Results: 187 patients with AS were identified and compared to age-, gender- and BMI-matched 187 patients without AS. No major complications were reported in the study nor the control group. The reported frequency of complaints and minor complications were similar between the study and the control groups.Nineteen patients with AS experienced side effects during dobutamine stress CMR compared to eighteen patients without AS (p=0.855). One patient with AS and two patients without AS undergoing adenosine stress CMR experienced side effects (p=0.562). Four examinations were aborted because of severe chest pain, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and third-degree atrioventricular block. Age, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, prior stroke and inducible ischaemia were associated with a higher incidence of complications.Conclusion: Moderate to severe AS was not associated with side effects of complications during CMR stress test. The data suggest CMR stress testing to be safe in patients with AS.