bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective Remediation of Pb2+ Polluted Environment by Adsorption onto Recyclable Hydroxyl Bearing Covalent Organic Framework
Authors: Elewa Ahmed M. , Mahdy Ahmed F. M. EL , Chou Ho-Hsiu 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Heavy metal ions removal from wastewater has attracted keen interest due to its toxicity. Adsorption is one of the most promising approaches for heavy metal ions removal owing to its simplicity and effectiveness. Recently, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have become promising adsorbents for effective wastewater remediation. However, many building blocks have been developed, and the constructing COFs with high adsorption efficiency remains a challenge. Herein, covalent organic framework, DHTP–TPB COF, decorated with hydroxyl groups was designed for the efficiency Pb2+ removal. The DHTP–TPB COF showed excellent performance in adsorbing Pb2+ from aqueous solution. More importantly, DHTP-TPB COF shows a high selectivity for Pb2+ compared to other competing ions, which captured Pb2+ ions with a removal efficiency of over 96% at pH ~ 4. The results show that the DHTP–TPB COF has excellent adsorption capacity at pH 4 up to 154.3 mg/g for Pb2+ ions, the value is comparable with many COFs reported so far. More interestingly, this work provided a correction to the way of the isotherm study that has been frequently followed before. Moreover, the adsorbed Pb2+ ions could be readily eluted using a 0.1M EDTA solution, and the DHTP–TPB COF can be reused for more than five adsorption-elution cycles without any significant adsorption efficiency loss. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanism was revealed using the XPS analysis indicating the formation of strong coordination bonding interactions between hydroxyl and Pb2+. Therefore, the DHTP–TPB COF produced herein has a high potential for treating Pb2+-contaminated wastewater, and it is promising for Pb2+ ion adsorption in practice.
Long term safety and efficacy of corneal cross-linking
in patients affected by keratoconus
Authors: Knutsson Karl Anders , Genovese Paola Noemi , Paganoni Giorgio , Ambrosio Oriella , Ferrari Giulio , Zennato Arianna , Caccia Michela , Cataldo Madeleine , Rama Paolo 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background/Objectives:Large retrospective study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL)Subjects/Methods: 886 eyes with progressive keratoconus were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary care university hospital. CXL was performed using a standardised technique (Dresden protocol: 0.1% riboflavin solution containing dextran 20% for 30 minutes during the soaking phase followed by 30 minute ultraviolet A irradiation (3mW/cm2)). Visual outcomes, maximum keratometry (Kmax), demarcation line measurements, and complications were recorded.Results:Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) improved from 0.49 ± 0.38 LogMAR to 0.47 ± 0.39 LogMAR (p=0.03, n=610) three years after the procedure, while best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved from 0.15 ± 0.14 LogMAR to 0.14 ± 0.15 LogMAR (p=0.007, n=610). A significant reduction of Kmax from 56.28 ± 6.10 to 54.98 ± 6.19 (p<0.001,n=610) was observed three years after CXL. In five eyes (0.82%, 5/610) keratoconus progression continued after CXL. Three eyes were retreated successfully with documented refractive and topographic stability after five years. Eleven eyes had a reduction of BSCVA of 1 or 2 lines, mostly related to anterior stromal scarring. No cases of infectious keratitis occurred, whereas peripheral sterile infiltrates were observed in 1.13 % (n=886) of cases. In the thirty five eyes that completed 10 years of follow-up, mean visual acuity and topographic parameters remained stable.Conclusions:CXL is a safe and effective treatment for avoiding keratoconus progression. Long-term data is encouraging, supporting a high safety profile for this procedure.
Pharmacokinetic Study of the Main Components of Tanreqing Capsules and Tanreqing Injections in beagles by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Cui Lili , Wang Liang , Xu Deduo , Wang Zhipeng , Chen Yong , Song Xinhua , Xu Fengjing , Gao Shouhong , Tao Xia , Chen Wansheng 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Tanreqing capsules (TRQCs) and Tanreqing injections (TRQIs) are traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations that are widely used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Although the ingredients of the two formulations are the same, differences in the way they are metabolized may affect their relative efficacy. In this study, a simple, rapid, and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of the main components of Tanreqing, which include chlorogenic acid, ursodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, and baicalin, in beagle dog plasma to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters resulting from TRQI and TRQC administration.
Method
Plasma samples were pretreated with protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 µm) column using a gradient elution with (A) 0.1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution and (B) acetonitrile. Six healthy beagles were divided into two groups, and a crossover, comparative pharmacokinetic study of TRQC (0.09g/kg) and TRQI (0.5 mL/kg) after a single-dose administration or daily doses over 7 days was carried out. One group was administrated a single dose of TRQC and followed continuously for 7 days, whereas the other group was treated with TRQI in the same way.
Results
The major pharmacokinetic parameters of the four compounds were not significantly different between the two formulations (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
The measured levels of the four major components of TRQCs and TRQIs were consistent in these dogs, providing a reference for the clinical application of TRQCs instead of TRQIs.
A Prefetch Control Strategy Based on Improved Hill Climbing Method in Asymmetric Multi-Core Architecture
Authors: Fang Juan , Xu Yixiang , Kong Han , Cai Min 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Cache prefetching is a traditional way to reduce memory access latency. In multi-core systems, aggressive prefetching may harm the system. In the past, prefetching throttling strategies usually set thresholds through certain factors. When the threshold is exceeded, prefetch throttling strategies will control the aggressive prefetcher. However, these strategies usually work well in homogeneous multi-core systems and do not work well in heterogeneous multi-core systems. This paper considers the performance difference between cores under the asymmetric multi-core architecture. Through the improved hill-climbing method, the aggressiveness of prefetching for different cores is controlled, and the IPC of the core is improved. Through experiments, it is found that compared with the previous strategy, the average performance of big core is improved by more than 3%, and the average performance of little cores is improved by more than 24%.
Low Temperature Structural Dynamics of Isatin in Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Using
Authors: Kabara Komal , Karale Ravikant , Alwaleedy Suad , Roy Bunty Rani , Kumbharkhane Ashok C. , Sarode Arvind V. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Structural and dynamical properties of heterocyclic organic compound Isatin in the solution state with DMSO has been studied in the frequency region of 10 MHz to 50 GHz over the temperature range of 273.15 K-298.15 K with the help of Time domain Reflectometry. Some of the dielectric parameters like relaxation time (τi), static dielectric constant (εi), dipole moment (𝜇̂) , correlation factor (gi), number of irrotationaly bound DMSO molecule (Zib) and effective volume of rotation (Veff) has been evaluated and expressed in terms of molecular interaction and hydrogen bonding. Beside these thermodynamic parameters such as molar entropy of activation (Δ𝑆𝜏𝑖), molar enthalpy of activation (Δ𝐻𝜏𝑖), molar free energy of activation ( Δ𝐹𝜏𝑖 ) has also been calculated. The dielectric permittivity spectra and relaxation behaviour of Isatin at different DMSO concentrations was analyzed using Cole-Davidson model. Two relaxation peaks i.e. high frequency relaxation and low frequency relaxation has been observed for Isatin+DMSO. The low frequency relaxation peak observed in the range of about 4-5 GHz is attributed to the rotation of Isatin molecule while high frequency relaxation peak observed in the range of about 18-21 GHz is attributed to the reorientation of DMSO molecule. With increasing isatin concentration dielectric loss peaks shifted towards lower frequency side at all the studied temperature and concentrations. Dielectric constant was found to be increasing with increasing concentrations except at 0.2265M. For all the studied temperatures dielectric constant was found to be decreasing with temperature. Dipole moment calculated using Cavell’s equation was found to be decreasing with increasing concentrations, 𝜇̂ was found to be increasing towards lower temperature, whereas, the variation in the magnitude is very small towards higher concentration.
A comprehensive mHealth solution for OSA patient management
Authors: Joymangul Jensen Selwyn , Sekhari Aicha , Grasset Olivier , Moalla Nejib 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a potentially fatal sleep disease that causes a variety of pathologies. Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy is the preferred treatment for OSA. Nonetheless, when compared to the other 17 therapies, the PAP therapy has one of the lowest levels of compliance. We present 2 novel mHealth solutions for improving this adherence level in CPAP therapy. The first application, Sleep.py Experts, provides a variety of decision support tools to enable tailored patient management for PAP treatment. The end-users for Sleep.py Experts are the multiple stakeholders that are involved in the PAP therapy like the pulmonologist, The second application, Sleep.py, delivers motivational, educational, diet, physical activity and stress management interventions directly to the patient suffering from OSA. We include an innovative serious game to increase the patient’s compliance with the application. Sleep.py provides the most comprehensive collection of personalized interventions for PAP therapy. Another core feature of these applications is to collect feedback from either the experts or the patients, In this research, we also present a framework for creating this feedback and propagating them across various machine learning models in a continuous learning process. This paradigm is adaptable enough to be used in different therapies or fields. To summarise, we offer a clear roadmap for implementing a continuous learning method based on expert-validated outcomes.
Therapeutic ultrasound ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting TGF-β/SMAD-mediated epithelial mesenchymal transition
Authors: Yang Jia-Chun , Xu Cheng , Kang Jian-Qiang , Yang Ling 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive pulmonary interstitial inflammatory disease with no effective treatment. Lung epithelial injury and dysfunction are the core of initiating the pathogenic process. Following injury to the lung epithelium, inflammatory cell recruitment, fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion ultimately lead to tissue fibrosis. Chronic inflammatory microenvironment is closely related to the development of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, EMT may be the main source of pathogenic myofibroblasts in the process of pulmonary fibrosis. There is increasing evidence that therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) can alleviate the inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate that effects of TUS on EMT and fibrosis in bleomycin (BLM)-induced model.
Methods
Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The mice were treated with TUS for 14d. After the mice were sacrificed, lung tissues were collected for analysis. The lungs were analyzed histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. The fibrosis was characterized by hydroxyproline (Hyp) content, immunofluorescence and western blotting for α-SMA and Collagen I. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, and TGF-β) were measured with ELISA. The protein levels of Vimentin, E-cadherin, p-SMAD2, SMAD2, p-SMAD3, SMAD3 were examined by western blotting.
Results
Treatment with TUS attenuated the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, which downregulated the content of Hyp and the expression levels of α-SMA and Collagen I in lungs and reduced the inflammatory cytokines levels. TUS reversed mesenchymal-like changes in the BLM-induced mice. The results confirmed that the expression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, increased after TUS treatment, while expression of the mesenchymal markers, Vimentin, and α-SMA decreased after the treatment. Furthermore, TUS reduced expression of TGF-β1 and the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3.
Conclusions
These findings suggested that TUS therapy had anti-fibrotic activity and could be used for IPF.
Managerial Practices and Performances of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Evidence from Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouédraogo Sugrinoma Aristide , Gansonré Soumaïla 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Management practices are seen as key explaining factors of the productivity differences across firms but generally considered as unobserved and assimilated to firms' individual fixed effects. Using survey data collected in Burkina Faso over 800 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), this study examines the relationship between management and the performances. Observed factors categorized in thee components that are monitoring, target settings, and incentive schemes are used to compute a management practices score. Considering the management skills as technology that can be adopted, the empirical results show a positive and significant association between management practices and firms' performances measured by the sale value, profit and value added. The relationship is particularly strong between the incentive component of management and performances. The estimation by firms' size also finds that the link between management score and performances' indicators is stronger for larger firms. We draw recommendations to inform policies that aim at promoting SMEs governance and growth in developing countries.
A Distributed B+Tree Indexing Method for Processing Range Queries over Streaming Data
Authors: Safaee Shahab , Mirabi Meghdad , Rahmani Amir Masoud , Safaei Aliasghar 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A data stream exhibits as a massive unbounded sequence of data elements continuously generated at a high rate. Stream databases raise new challenges for query processing due to both the streaming nature of data which constantly changes over time and the wider range of queries submitted by the user when compared with the traditional databases. In this paper, we propose a system architecture which includes components for both distributed indexing of streaming data and distributed processing of range queries over streaming data. By exploiting the proposed system architecture, the process of indexing of streaming data and the process of querying over streaming data can be done in a distributed fashion. We also design a distributed B + Tree indexing method using the map-reduce programming model of the Apache Spark framework which creates small B + Tree indexes on the machines of a Spark cluster instead of using a large and centralized B + Tree index structure. Moreover, we propose a distributed range search algorithm to process range queries in distributed and parallel form using the set of small B + Tree indexes. By performing several experiments, we demonstrate that our proposed distributed B + Tree indexing method is scalable and efficient compared to the existing indexing methods and therefore, it can be used for applications involving data streams with a large volume of data elements and a large number of range queries.
Heterologous biosynthesis of isobavachalcone in tobacco based on in planta screening of prenyltransferases
Authors: Guo Lirong , Zhao Wei , Wang Yan , Yang Yu , Wei Cuimei , Guo Jian , Dai Jianye , Hirai Masami Yokota , Bao Aike , Yang Zhigang , Chen Haijuan , Li Yimeng 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Isobavachalcone (IBC) is a prenylated chalcone mainly distributed in some Fabaceae and Moraceae species. IBC exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we attempted to construct the heterologous biosynthesis pathway of IBC in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ). Four previously reported prenyltransferases, including GuILDT from Glycyrrhiza uralensis , HlPT1 from Humulus lupulus , and SfILDT and SfFPT from Sophora flavescens , were subjected to an in planta screening to verify their activities for the biosynthesis of IBC, by using tobacco transient expression with exogenous isoliquiritigenin as the substrate. Only SfFPT and HlPT1 could convert isoliquiritigenin to IBC, and the activity of SfFPT was higher than that of HlPT1. By co-expression of GmCHS8 and GmCHR5 from Glycine max, endogenous isoliquiritigenin was generated in tobacco leaves (21.0 mg/g dry weight). After transformation with a multigene vector carrying GmCHS8 , GmCHR5 , and SfFPT , de novo biosynthesis of IBC was achieved in tobacco calluses (0.46 mg/g dry weight). The yield of IBC in calluses was nearly equal to that in SfFPT transient expression experiments, in which substrate supplement was sufficient, indicating that low IBC yield was caused by the low activity of SfFPT. Our research provided a prospect to produce valuable prenylflavonoids using plant-based metabolic engineering.
Identification of novel long noncoding RNA with distinct expression patterns in different subtypes of multiple myeloma
Authors: Elsayed Dina , Ashby Cody , Wardell Christopher P , Rhee Frits , Ussery David W , Zhan Fenghuang , Bauer Michael A 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Evidence has accumulated regarding the association of some types of long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) with severity and progression of multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we explore the expression of novel lncRNA in different molecular subtypes of MM and examine their correlation with the prognosis of the patient. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing of 643 newly diagnosed MM samples was performed. De novo and reference guided transcript assembly pipelines were used for RNA-seq data processing and discovery of novel lncRNAs in MM. We identified 8,556 potentially novel lncRNA transcripts expressed in patients with MM. Of these, 1,264 novel transcripts showed significant differential expression between the different molecular subtypes of MM. Through bioinformatic analysis, we identify their potential targets and roles in MM. Functional enrichment analysis of nearby coexpressed genes was used to predict involved pathways. The function was also inferred by comparing the k-mer content with known lncRNAs. Two of the novel lncRNAs had a significant association with progression free survival and/or overall survival. In conclusion, we identified many novel lncRNAs, describe their expression pattern among different genetic subtypes of MM and provide evidence of their potential role in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of the disease.
Determinants of Household Dietary Diversity in Rural Ethiopia: A Household Panel Study
Authors: Kabeta Teshome , Holst Renè , Wondafrash Beyene , Frigessi Arnoldo , Gebremariam Mekdes Kebede 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Diet diversification ensures nutritional security and hence helps to realize human nutrient requirements. Despite its importance, diet diversification remains a challenge especially for rural communities of the developing countries. This study was aimed to identify the determinants of diet diversity in Oromia, and in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples regions of Ethiopia.
Methods
The agriculture-nutrition household panel data, called Ag-Nutrition, is used in this paper. The study collected data in 1200 households twice a year for two years in two kebeles in each of ten woredas (districts). We used the previously introduced Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). In addition to several potential demographic, social, economic and geographic determinants of diet diversity, we defined a new empowerment score of women in nutritional household decisions. Mixed effect truncated Poisson regression was fitted to determine possible determinants of diet diversity at household level.
Result
The value of the HDDS ranged from 1 to 10 with mean 5.52 and standard deviation (SD) 1.54. One unit increment in variety of crop production gave a 3.37% increase in HDDS (95% CI [1.93%, 4.88%]). A one-birr increase in income generated from livestock products resulted in 2.62% increase of HDDS ([1.54%, 3.72%]). The post harvesting season contributed with a 6.43% increase in HDDS relative to the pre-harvesting season ([3.61, 9.33]). Households headed by a woman were lower by 92.34% of HDDS relative to a man-led household ([87.46, 96.70]). An additional year of education of the household head resulted in 1.19% increase of HDDS ([0.73,1.66]. As the mean empowerment score of women increased by one score point, the increment in HDDS increased by 3.80% ([1.13, 6.39]). We found no significant effect of the vicinity of the households to local markets on the HDDS.
Conclusion
This study has identified economic, educational, social and seasonal factors associated with HDDS, which need to be taken into consideration when planning interventions aimed at improving HDDS in rural Ethiopia and possibly in other similar regions.
Clinical parameters to predict adverse outcomes in patients with parallel circulation with a Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt
Authors: Sheth Saloni P. , Loomba Rohit S. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction
In patients with parallel circulation, early risk factor identification for adverse outcome can facilitate prevention. This retrospective study compares vital sign parameters, near infrared spectroscopy, central venous pressure, hemoglobin, serum lactate, and vasoinotrope score in the first 48 hours between those with parallel circulation with and without a composite adverse outcome after Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt placement.
Methods
Hemodynamic variables were collected at the following postoperative timepoints: admission to the cardiac intensive care unit, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after. Outcomes of interest included cardiopulmonary arrest, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or inpatient mortality during the admission.
Results
Of the 39 neonates in the study, 10 experienced the composite outcome. Four variables had a receiver operator curve analysis area under the curve of > 0.60. The resulting risk score was as follows, with 1 point being assigned for a central venous pressure greater than 7.8, 1 point for a serum lactate greater than 1.8, renal oxygen extraction ratio of greater than 32, and vasoinotrope score of greater than 8.7. A score of 0 was associated with a 0% risk of the composite outcome, a score of 1 or 2 a 15% risk, and a score of 3 or 4 a 60% risk.
Conclusion
A combination of increased central venous pressure, increased serum lactate, increased renal oxygen extraction ratio, and increased vasoinotrope score are highly accurately associated with risk of cardiopulmonary arrest, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or inpatient mortality after a Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt in patients with parallel circulation.