bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient separation of cellulose from Bamboo by organic alkali
Authors: Chen Li-Yu , Meng Xiang-Guang , Yu Wen-Wang , Zhang Yu-Lian , Gan Zi-Yu , Yang Cheng 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This study focuses on the effective separation of cellulose from bamboo through a two-step process. Several organic alkalies 2-pyrrolidinone, ethylurea, dibutylamine, N-methylformamide and tetramethyl guanidine were used to remove lignin and isolate cellulose from massive bamboo. The results showed that tetramethyl guanidine can effectively remove lignin and hemicellulose while retaining almost all the cellulose in the residual solid. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose achieved 86.0% and 84.0% after heating for 3h at 150°C, respectively. Subsequently, the final remove of lignin and hemicellulose increased to 91.5% and 93.8%, respectively, after a simple alkaline H2O2 bleach treatment. Interestingly, the loss of cellulose was very small after two-step treatments, and 96.9% of the component was still retained. The crystalline increased from 61.3–68.4% in XRD graphs due to the remove of lignin and hemicellulose. The SEM images indicated that the diameter of cellulose bundles decreased from 80–100µm to about 50µm after organic alkali treatment, and then the fiber bundle was completely separated into a single long fiber with a diameter of about 10 µm after H2O2 bleaching. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the high selective removal of lignin and hemicellulose. Two-dimensional 1H-13C NMR (2D HSQC) spectra were analyzed to investigate the lignin structure, and found that only the signals of –OCH3, Cγ-Hγ in β-O-4' (Aγ) and β-β' (Cγ) structures and C5-H5 in guaiacyl (G5) did not disappear after two-step treatment.
Genetic Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Agronomical and Morpho-Physiological Traits Under Drought Environments in Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Sayed Haitham , Al-Yassin Adnan , Ceccarelli Salvatore , Grando Stefania , Stotz Henrik , Fitt Bruce DL , Baum Michael 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses that severely limit barley production which is well adapted to drought conditions in the Mediterranean basin where the unpredictable climatic conditions, particularly rainfall, rainfall distribution and both high and low temperatures, may lead to dramatic decreases in yield. Landraces and wild species, represent an important source of variation for adaptive traits that may contribute to increased yield and yield stability under drought conditions. The study includes mapping of Quantitative QTLs for agronomical and morpho-physiological traits associated with drought tolerance. A total of 76 QTLs identified to 11 traits that describe grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, kernel weight, seed per head, days to heading, kernel filling duration, growth vigor, growth habit, lodging and plant height were mapped using RIL population Arta x Harmal-2//Esp/1808-4L which was evaluated at six dry and semi-dry areas over three years.The linkage map contained 254 markers (80 SSR, 174 AFLP) spanning 691cM. Eighty-Four markers’ loci (38 SSR and 46 AFLP) were used for QTLs mapping using the Simple Interval Mapping (SIM) and Simplified Composite Interval Mapping (sCIM). The QTLs which explained the largest part of the phenotypic variation in the dry areas (rainfall <250 mm) were found on the following chromosomes: 2H for biological yield, 1H for harvest index, 2H, 4H and 5H for kernel weight, 2H for days to heading, 1H for the duration of kernel filling period and plant height. While in the semi-dry areas (rainfall between 250- 400mm) QTLs were identified on chromosomes 6H for grain yield, 2H and 5H for kernel weight, 1H and 6H for seed per head, 2H for days to heading. Some of the QTLs were common to those in other published work and some QTLs seemed specific to this study. Chromosomes 1H, 2H, 4H and 5H harbor more than 60% of mapped QTLs for dry areas. For the first time, QTLs explained the variation for grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, kernel weight and days to heading in very dry areas with rainfall less than 150 mm. An understanding of coincidental locations of QTL for correlated phenotypes allows a genetic dissection of different traits and better prediction of the loci most amendable for selection in a breeding program. The identification of marker-trait associations provides suitable opportunities for marker-assisted selection of genomic regions to improve adaptation to low rainfall environments provided interactions with other loci and with the target environments are reasonably well understood.
Geodesics and natural complex magnetic trajectories on tangent bundles
Authors: Abbassi Mohamed Tahar Kadaoui , Amri Noura 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate geodesics of the tangent bundle $TM$ of a Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ endowed with an arbitrary pseudo-Riemannian $g$-natural metric of Kaluza-Klein type. Then considering a class of naturally defined almost complex structures on $TM$, constructed by V. Oproiu, we construct a class of magnetic fields and we characterize the corresponding magnetic curves on $TM$, when $(M,g)$ is a space form.
Optimal energy storage operation chart and output distribution of cascade reservoirs based on operating rules derivation
Authors: Zhu Yuxin , Zhou Jianzhong , Zhang Yongchuan , Jiang Zhiqiang , Jia Benju , Fang Wei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Energy storage operation chart (ESOC) has been one of the most popular method in cascade reservoirs conventional operation. However, the problem of distributing the total output obtained from the ESOC has not yet been solved reasonably. Discriminant coefficient method is a traditional method to guide the output distribution by determining the order of reservoir supply or storage, but cannot quantify the water used in operation. Thus, this study develops a new output distribution model using the polynomial fitting method and the artificial neural network (ANN) to express the functional relationship, which derive from deterministic optimization results of long-term runoff series with the goal of maximizing power generation. The cascade reservoirs of lower reaches of the Jinsha River in China are selected as a case study. By comparing with discriminant coefficient method and proposed method, the proposed method can rationally distribute the total output to avoid the problem of concentrated deserting water in downstream reservoirs, which usually happens in discriminant coefficient method. Generally, this study proposed an effective alternative method to guide the cascade reservoirs operation.
Serum vitamin D levels in lactating mothers and their exclusive breastfeeding infants with symptoms of rickets
Authors: Song Xiaohong , Liu Ying , He Yiping , Mi Yang , Wei Junxiang 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the vitamin D status in postpartum women during lactation and their exclusively breastfed infants with symptoms of rickets at 4–6 weeks after birth. Factors associated with breastfed infant serum vitamin D status were also determined.
Methods
One hundred and two exclusively breastfeeding infants with symptoms of nutritional rickets and their mothers were recruited in this study. Sociodemographic and clinical data including blood samples were collected during their visit to the children healthcare counseling clinic. Lactating mothers and their nursing infants were classified into sufficient, insufficient, and deficient according to serum 25(OH)D levels. Multivariate logistical regression model was used to analyses the final adjusted odds ratio and 95% CI.
Results
The prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency in lactating mother and exclusively breastfed infants were 8.7% and 40.2%, respectively. Final multiple logistic regression showed that infant daily vitamin D intake and body weight were statistically significantly associated with vitamin D status. Infant who had a vitamin D intake of > 400 IU per day (adjusted OR, 3.47; 95%CI, 1.06–11.30) was more likely to be vitamin D sufficiency. Infant with a higher body weight was associated with vitamin D sufficient status (adjusted OR, 2.01; 95%CI, 1.11–3.66).
Conclusions
Our study shows a very low prevalence of 25(OH)D sufficiency in lactating mothers, and a moderate vitamin D sufficiency in the exclusive breastfeeding infants with symptoms of rickets. Infant daily vitamin D intake and body weight were related to their vitamin D status. Findings of this study indicate the importance of vitamin D supplementation to maintain sufficient 25(OH)D levels in infants.
Medical students’ knowledge and attitude toward brain death and the influence of medical education: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Chang , Liu Shiqing 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
The medical students’ knowledge and attitude toward brain death has not been investigated in China. The aims of this study were to assess the knowledge and attitude toward brain death among medical students in China and assess the influence of medical education on the knowledge and attitude.
Methods
An online questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was developed and completed by undergraduates majoring in clinical medicine in China Medical University. The students’ demographic data, knowledge and attitude toward brain death were collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 1075 medical students participated in the survey, and 1051 of them completed the valid questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis grouped the 17 items into four dimensions, which explained 63.5% of the total variance. These dimensions were named as knowledge (5 items), attitude (5 items), concern (3 items) and education (4 items) respectively. The global Cronbach α of the questionnaire was 0.845 and the Cronbach α of the four dimensions ranged from 0.756 to 0.866. The mean dimension scores of knowledge, attitude, concern and education was 3.67 ± 0.89, 3.67 ± 0.87, 3.10 ± 1.03 and 4.12 ± 0.12 respectively. The clinical students had a better knowledge than the preclinical students (P < 0.001). The clinical students had a more favorable attitude in stopping the treatment for a brain-dead family member and using the organs and/or tissues of brain-dead patients for transplantation (P < 0.001). The clinical students showed more concerns than the preclinical students (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the education between the clinical and pre-clinical students.
Conclusions
Most medical students in China had insufficient knowledge about brain death. Although their knowledge of brain death increased with their university degree, their attitude toward organ donation after brain death did not evolve accordingly. Their concerns about brain death increased with seniority. Most students had great education need about brain death.
Pitfalls in methods to study colocalization of nanoparticles in mouse macrophage lysosomes
Authors: Moreno-Echeverri Aura Maria , Susnik Eva , Vanhecke Dimitri , Taladriz-Blanco Patricia , Balog Sandor , Petri-Fink Alke , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: In the field of nanoscience there is an increasing interest to follow dynamics of nanoparticles (NP) in cells with an emphasis on endo-lysosomal pathways and long-term NP fate. The accuracy of fluorescence microscopy methods has an important role in obtaining insights into NP interactions with lysosomes at the single cell level including quantification of NP uptake in a specific cell type. During our research on this topic, we encountered several pitfalls, which can bias the experimental outcome. We address some of these pitfalls and suggest possible solutions. Methods: Here we use J774A.1 cells as a model for professional phagocytes. We expose them to fluorescently-labelled amorphous silica NP with different sizes and quantify the colocalization of fluorescently-labelled NP with lysosomes over time. We focus on confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), due to its ability to obtain 3D spatial information and follow live cell imaging to study NP colocalization with lysosomes.Results: We evaluate different experimental parameters that can bias the colocalization coefficients (i.e, Pearson’s and Manders’), such as the interference of phenol red in the cell culture medium with the fluorescence intensity and image post-processing (effect of spatial resolution, optical slice thickness, pixel saturation and bit depth). Additionally, we determine the correlation coefficients for NP entering the lysosomes under four different experimental set-ups. First, we found out that not only Pearsons’, but also Manders’ correlation coefficient should be considered in lysosome-NP colocalization studies; second, there is a difference in NP colocalization when using NP of different sizes and fluorescence dyes and last, the correlation coefficients might change depending on live-cell and fixed-cell imaging set-up. Conclusions: The results summarize detailed steps and recommendations for the experimental design, staining, sample preparation and imaging to improve the reproducibility of colocalization studies between the NP and lysosomes.
An Intervention in Children Between 6 and 12 Years-Old Is Effective on Improving Diet Quality. The Alinfa Study
Authors: Andueza Naroa , Martin-Calvo Nerea , Navas-Carretero Santiago , Cuervo Marta 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of a new nutritional intervention focused on improving the quality of the diet in children aged 6 to 12 years.
METHODS
A 2-month parallel, controlled randomized trial was conducted. Children were randomized to ALINFA nutritional intervention which consisted of a normocaloric diet that incorporates products, ready-to-eat meals and healthy recipes specifically designed for the study, or to a control group, who received usual advice on healthy eating. Primary outcome of this study was diet quality, that was assessed with the KIDMED index. Secondary outcomes were anthropometry, body composition and biochemistry variables, and changes in diet and lifestyle.
RESULTS
In total, 55 volunteers completed the intervention, 44 on the intervention group and 11 in the control group. Mean score in the KIDMED index increased in the intervention group. Besides, a decrease in the intake of calories, total, saturated and monounsaturated fat, together with cholesterol and an increase in fiber intake were observed in intervention group. Regarding food groups, we observed a higher intake of white fish, pulses, whole grains and nuts and a lower intake of fatty meat, refined grains, pastries, fast food, sugars, and sweetened foods. Moreover, a significant decrease in BMI, BMI z-score, waist circumference and fat mass were observed. In biochemical variables, a reduction in LDL-cholesterol and leptin were observed. Participants in the control group did not report significant changes in diet quality, although an increase in weight, lean and muscular mass and insulin were observed.
CONCLUSION
The ALINFA nutritional intervention was effective to increase diet quality in children, which was associated with improvements on anthropometry.
Detecting Schizophrenia With 3D Structural Brain MRI Using Deep Learning
Authors: Guo Jia , Zhang Junhao , Rao Vish , Tian Ye , Yang Yanting , Acosta Nicolas , Wan Zihan , Lee Pin-Yu , Zhang Chloe , Kegeles Larry , Small Scott 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder that causes distinct structural alterations within the brain. We hypothesize that deep learning applied to a structural neuroimaging dataset could detect disease-related alteration and improve classification and diagnostic accuracy. We tested this hypothesis using a single, widely available, and conventional T1-weighted MRI scan, from which we extracted the 3D whole-brain structure using standard post-processing methods. A deep learning model was then developed, optimized, and evaluated on three open datasets with T1-weighted MRI scans of patients with schizophrenia. Our proposed model outperformed the benchmark model, which was also trained with structural MR images using a 3D CNN architecture. Our model is capable of almost perfectly (area under the ROC curve = 0.987) distinguishing schizophrenia patients from healthy controls on unseen structural MRI scans. Regional analysis localized subcortical regions and ventricles as the most predictive brain regions. Subcortical structures serve a pivotal role in cognitive, affective, and social functions in humans, and structural abnormalities of these regions have been associated with schizophrenia. Our finding corroborates that schizophrenia is associated with widespread alterations in subcortical brain structure and the subcortical structural information provides prominent features in diagnostic classification. Together, these results further demonstrate the potential of deep learning to improve schizophrenia diagnosis and identify its structural neuroimaging signatures from a single, standard T1-weighted brain MRI.
New insights on Noonan syndrome’s clinical phenotype: a single center retrospective study
Authors: Baldo Francesco , Fachin Alice , Re Beatrice Da , Rubinato Elisa , Bobbo Marco , Barbi Egidio 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Noonan syndrome (NS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Since its clinical phenotype is often mild and difficult to differentiate from other syndromes, its diagnosis can be challenging and its prevalence in the pediatric population is most certainly underestimated. The difficulty in identifying Noonan syndrome is also increased by the fact that genetic tests are currently not able to detect an underlying mutation in around 30% of the cases.
Methods
This is a retrospective observational study conducted at the Institute for Maternal and Child “Burlo Garofolo” in Trieste, Italy. We recruited all the patients with clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of NS who were evaluated at the Department of Pediatrics between October 2015 and October 2020. Statistical analyses were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics software. The association between discrete variables has been evaluated through chi-squared test, indicating statistically significant p with Pearson test or Fischer test for variables less than 5.
Results
We recruited a total of 35 patients affected by Noonan syndrome. In 24 patients (75%) we identified an underlying genetic substrate: 17 patients had a mutation on PTPN11 (61%), 2 in SOS1, KRAS and SHOC2 (7% each) and only 1 in RAF1 (4%). 25% of the subjects did not receive a genetic confirm. As for the phenotype of the syndrome, our study identified the presence of some clinical features which were previously unrelated to NS. For example, renal and central nervous system abnormalities, were found at a higher rate compared to the current literature. On the contrary, some features that are considered very suggestive of NS (such as lymphatic abnormalities and the classical facial features) were not frequently found in our population.
Conclusions
In our analysis, we focused on the main phenotypic features of NS, identifying various clinical manifestation that were not associated with this genetic condition before. This could be helpful in raising the knowledge of NS’s clinical spectrum, facilitating its diagnosis.
Importance of light alignment of on-road remote sensing technology on diesel emission measurements
Authors: Zhuang Yuan , Wang Zhongheng , Huang Yuhan , Zhai Rui , Wang Xiaohu 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
On-road remote sensing (RS) technology provides a rapid, cost-effective and non-intrusive tool to test vehicle emissions, which is gaining significant attention worldwide in recent years. RS systems are usually placed at a fixed height to test the emissions of all the passing vehicles. However, the tailpipe height varies among vehicles which may greatly affect the accuracy of RS tests. In addition, a key assumption of RS measurements is that the ratios of pollutants over carbon dioxides are constant for a given plume. So far, however, there is a lack of experimental investigation on these effects. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the effect of beam alignment of an RS system on the diesel emission tests. The experiments were performed using a diesel engine bench, whose emissions were tested simultaneously by a Horiba MEXA-7500 gas analyzer (serving as the comparison baseline) and a BLH-5000 on-road RS system. The experimental results show that in the three-dimensional space behind the exhaust tailpipe, the more accurate area for remote sensing technology tests along the direction of the measured light (x) is in the area 6m from the RS light source and receiver. In the direction of the exhaust discharge plume along the exhaust pipe (y), the test results do not vary much throughout the test range of 0 to 6m. In the height direction (z), when the height of the tested light is 0.3m, the area where the remote sensing technique is accurate is within the range of 0.2m to 0.4m. The relative concentration of CO tested by RS in this region has an error rate of only ± 5% with the CO concentration measured by the exhaust gas analyzer. Similarly, this indicator for HC is ± 10%, which is also smaller. Although this indicator is larger for NO, at 100%, the NO test error in this region is also the smallest in the entire test area.
Research on the relationship between Hakka Tulou in Fujian and red soil
Authors: Yang Sheng , Yang Yi , Qi Jiayi , Xu Chenghong , Huang Zaojia , Lu En , Wu Ling , Gan Qiaohua 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This article proposes to analyse the characters of Hakka Tulou(Earthen Buildings) in Fujian provenience of China. Through comprehensive analyses, this research will apply theoretical concepts to the practical situation. This study will examine size, space patterns, and functions of Tulou buildings. Tulou is a kind of traditional building, so this study needs to analysis it’s special character. Integrating the living culture of traditional Hakka Tulou buildings with modern society’s need, probing into how to preserve these traditional buildings in the future.
¿What did we learn from Convalescent plasma treatment in a COVID-19 patient two-time kidney transplanted? A case report from the viral and immune response evolution perspective
Authors: Aldunate Fabian , Fajardo Alvaro , Rammauro Florencia , Daghero Hellen , Arce Rodrigo , Ferla Diego , Pereira-Gomez Marianoel , Ibañez Natalia , Salazar Cecilia , Iraola Gregorio , Pritsch Otto , Bollati Mariella , Hurtado Javier , Tenzi Jordan , Bianchi Sergio , Nin Nicolas , Moratorio Gonzalo , Moreno Pilar 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, can provoke a vast range of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic to potentially life-threatening complications. At the beginning, convalescent plasma therapy has been proposed as an effective alternative to treat severe cases. The aim of this study was to follow over time a two-time renal transplanted COVID-19 severe patient treated with convalescent plasma from an immunological and virologic perspective.Case presentation: A 42-year-old female patient, two-time kidney transplanted was hospitalized with COVID-19. Due to worsening of respiratory symptoms, she was admitted to the intensive care unit where she received two doses of convalescent plasma. Conclusion: We analyzed the dynamics of viral load in nasopharyngeal swab, saliva and tracheal aspirate samples, before and after convalescent plasma transfusion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and antibody titers were also measured in serum samples. A post-treatment decrease in viral load was observed to be sharp in saliva and nasopharyngeal swab samples, and slight in tracheal aspirate samples. Furthermore, we evidenced an increase of antibody titers post transfusion, accompanied with a decrease of several cytokines responsible of the cytokine storm.