bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of low-cost functionalized diatomite and its effective removal of ammonia nitrogen from wastewater
Authors: Fang Shuju , Li Gufeng , Shi Hongyu , Ye Junxiu , Wang Hongbin , Ding Xuemei , Luo Lijun , Li Guizhen , Yang Min 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
A low-cost functionalization method was used to treat diatomite, and an efficient adsorbent for ammonia nitrogen was prepared by optimizing the functionalization conditions. The functionalized diatomite (DTCA-Na) was characterized by SEM, EDS, BET, XRD, FT-IR and TG. The results demonstrate that DTCA-Na has excellent adsorption performance after being modified with H2SO4 (60.00 wt.%), NaCl (5.00 wt.%) and calcination at 400 °C for 2 h. While studying the effect of adsorption factors on the removal of ammonia nitrogen, the kinetic and thermodynamic behaviors in the adsorption process were discussed. The removal efficiency of the simulated wastewater with the initial ammonia nitrogen concentration of 10.00 mg/L by the DTCA-Na was more than 80% when the contact time was 60 min, pH was 6-10, the dosage of adsorbent was 1.00 g, the temperature was 25 °C. The adsorption process of ammonia nitrogen was conformed to the pseudo-first-order and Langmuir isothermal model. The removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen was still above 80% after 5 times adsorption-desorption experiments. The DTCA-Na has a brighter prospect of application in the field of ammonia nitrogen wastewater treatment due to its excellent adsorption performance and low-cost advantage.
Gender, Social media Use, and Fear of COVID-19 among Ghanaian University Students
Authors: Malm Esther K. , Oti-Boadi Mabel , Dey Nutifafa Eugene Yaw , Adade Abigail Esinam , Ocansey Godwin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 and its associated social restrictive measures and lockdowns exacerbated the use of social media and other technological facilities for communication. This study, therefore, examined Ghanaian students’ social media use and its relationship with fear of COVID-19, paying close attention to the moderating role of gender.
Methods
Data were collected between June and July 2020 among a sample of 209 students via online measures on social media use and fear of COVID-19.
Results
Findings revealed that social media use had a small and positive association with fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.18, p = 0.009). The mean scores of these variables did not differ by gender. However, moderation analysis revealed that increased social media use raised the fears of COVID-19 of female students (B=-0.24, p = 0.034).
Conclusion
Although social media was used for connecting with people and accessing pandemic-related information, our findings clearly suggest that overuse or over-engagement may just be problematic, especially for females. Aside from developing interventions to reduce students’ fears of COVID-19, appropriate usage of social media should be advocated.
Values of OAS Gene Family in the Expression Signature, Immune Cell Infiltration and Prognosis of Human Bladder Cancer
Authors: Cao Ji-Min , Gao Lijuan , Ren Ruimin , Shen Jing , Hou Jiayi , Ning Junya , Feng Yanlin , Wang Meiyue , Wu Lifei , Sun Yaojun , Wang Huang , Wang De-Ping 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: BLCA is one of the most common genitourinary malignancies in the world, but its pathogenic genes have not been fully identified and the treatment outcomes are still unsatisfactory. Although the members of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene family are known involved in some tumorous biological processes, the roles of the OAS gene family in BLCA are still undetermined. Methods: By combining the vast bioinformatic datasets analyses of BLCA and the experimental verification on clinical BLCA specimen, we identified the expressions and biological functions of OAS gene family members in BLCA with comparison to normal bladder tissues. Results: We showed that the expression levels of OAS gene family members were higher in BLCA than in normal bladder tissues. The expression levels of most OAS genes had correlations with prognosis, genomic mutation, methylation and infiltration levels of CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the microenvironment of BLCA. In addition, high expression levels of OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL predicted better overall survival in BLCA patients. Conclusions: We conclude that the expression levels of OAS genes may be considered as a signature of BLCA and can reflect immune cell infiltration in BLCA microenvironment and predict the overall survival of BLCA. The study may provide new insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BLCA.
PMT Signal Transmission for Hard X-Ray Diagnostics of Future Tokamaks
Authors: Nowakowski Patryk Nowak vel , Makowski Dariusz , Walewski Wojciech 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
A pair of a scintillator and a Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) is often used as a Hard X-Ray (HXR) radiation detector in existing tokamaks such as JET, EAST, COMPASS or ASDEX-U. Future nuclear fusion reactors such as ITER or DEMO will use more powerful magnets and confine a larger volume of hot plasma. Placement of the detectors used for plasma diagnostic will be constrained by high temperatures, magnetic fields and ionizing radiation present near the tokamak vessel. It might be necessary to move detectors away from tokamak to a safer location. As a result, it might generate problems with pulse discrimination and transmission of the signal. In such scenario, a new approach to the design of plasma diagnostic systems such as HXR spectroscopy is required. In case of the ITER tokamak, sensitive electronics such as Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) cannot be installed close to the reactor. The signal from the PMT will be transmitted via an over 100 m long cable to a digitizer located in the diagnostic building. Along the way, electromagnetic interferences can couple into the cable. Additional measures have to be taken to reduce the influence of noise on the signal. The paper presents issues with signal transmission in HXR diagnostic systems and includes a discussion on the methodology of PMT signal transmission in the conditions of the future tokamaks. A proposal of guidelines for selection of the signal chain components and design of a dedicated PMT amplifier is part of this paper.
Tumor suppression by Chinese cordyceps extract via anti-angiogenesis
Authors: Li Wenjia , Li Jing , Hu Xuefeng , Xu Linghua , Liu Xiaoyu , Qian Zhengming , Jin Liling , Zhang Yimin , Wei Jiangchun , Liu Xingzhong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Development of pharmacological agents for anti-angiogenesis to disrupt the vascular supply and starve tumor of nutrients and oxygen is a novel strategy for tumor therapy. Chinese cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a traditional Chinese herb, has been widely reported to exhibit antitumor effects. In the present study, we tested suppression of Chinese cordyceps extract (CCE) on tumor angiogenesis in tube formation assay using human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and Lewis carcinoma xenografts in mice. In addition, CCE was also investigated in an ex vivo angiogenesis assay using rat aortic rings. CCE could dose-dependently suppress capillary tube formation in HUVECs as well as in rat aortic ring. The antiangiogenesis activity of CCE was further verified in Lewis xenografted mice models where tumor volume was significantly decreased in the treatment of CCE at 100 mg/kg. The mean vascular density (MVD) in the tumor, measured by platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) immune-histochemical staining, was also markedly inhibited by CCE at 100 mg/kg treatment. These results indicated that Chinese cordyceps may have antitumor activity through antiangiogenesis activity and could be used in prevention and/or therapy of angiogenesis related cancers.
Effects of void deck on the airflow and pollutant dispersion in 3D street canyons
Authors: Sin Chung Hyok , Luo Yang , Jon Kwang Song , Cui Peng-Yi , Huang Yuandong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In general, urban canyons are the areas most clearly affected by traffic pollutants since the ability of the canyon to self-ventilate is inhibited due to blockage of buildings or other urban structures. However, previous studies have aimed to improve the pedestrian-level wind speed with void deck in single buildings or short canyons. This study investigated the effects of void deck height and location, and building height on the airflow field and the traffic pollutant diffusion in a long canyon with L/H=10, validated by wind-tunnel experiment data. The results show that the void decks have a significant effect on the airflow and pollutant distribution inside the canyon. Air exchange rates (ACH) of the canyons with the void deck are much larger than that of regular canyons, and the perturbation changes of turbulence (ACH') decrease. When the void deck is at both buildings, the ACH is the highest, followed by the case where the void deck is at the leeward building. Also, for the canyons with the void deck, traffic pollutants are removed out of the canyon by the strong airflow through the void deck. Therefore, unlike the regular canyons, as the void deck and the building height increases, the strength of the airflow through the void deck becomes stronger, and as a result, the mean pollutant concentration is significantly reduced at both walls and the pedestrian respiration level. The mean pollutant concentration on the wall of the building with the void deck and on the pedestrian respiration plane close to it is near zero. These findings can help ease traffic pollution inside the street canyons composed of high-rise buildings, especially in tropical cities.
Mitochondrial transfer alters cell fate by remodeling metabolic processes to regulate bone homeostasis
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Cai Wenjin , Zhang Jinglun , Yu Yiqian , Ni Yueqi , Wei Yan , Cheng Yihong , Han Litian , Xiao Leyi , Ma Xiaoxin , Wei Hongjiang , Ji Yaoting 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of eukaryotic cells, which regulate cell metabolism and differentiation. Recently, mitochondrial transfer between cells has been shown to direct recipient cell fate. However, it is unclear whether mitochondria can translocate to stem cells and whether this transfer alters stem cell fate. Here, we examined mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) regulation by macrophages in the bone marrow environment. We found that macrophages promote osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by delivering mitochondria to MSCs. However, under osteoporotic conditions, macrophages with altered phenotypes and metabolic statuses release oxidatively damaged mitochondria. The transfer of dysfunctional mitochondria to MSCs triggers a reactive oxygen species burst, which leads to metabolic remodeling. We showed that abnormal metabolism in MSCs is caused by the abnormal succinate accumulation, which is a key factor in abnormal osteogenic differentiation. These results reveal that mitochondrial transfer from macrophages to MSCs allows metabolic crosstalk to regulate bone homeostasis. This mechanism identifies a potential target for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Temperature measurement and transfer control of a supercritical hydrocarbon fluid
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Ruoling , Wang Xiangyi , Jiang Jin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The measurement method of the fluid temperature suitable for small channel is given, and a fluid transfer control scheme of the area of injecting holes is designed using the balance equations of fluid mass, energy and entropy. A convective heat transfer experiment is conducted to evaluate the temperature measurement and fluid transfer control methods of the heat absorbing supercritical hydrocarbon fluid. The result shows during the heating process the injecting pressure meets the requirement, and the fluid transfer control system works well. The result can be useful for the design of regenerative cooling for hypersonic propulsion system.
Plant-soil feedbacks buffer plant communities from extinction risks in unpredictable environments
Authors: Caruso Tancredi , Rillig Matthias C 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Theory and experiments have demonstrated that negative plant-soil feedback promotes coexistence between plant species. Plants and soils, however, face the challenge of an increasingly unpredictable environment due to multiple global change factors, including but not limited to climate change. Environmental stochasticity generally reduces the space for coexistence between competing species and it induces fluctuations that increase the variability and unpredictability of community properties such as total productivity. In this paper, we formulate a stochastic version of a classical plant-soil feedback deterministic model, which describes the outcome of plant species competition in the presence of soil feedback. If the soil feedback is negative, the deterministic expectation is that pulse perturbations to the system (e.g. a drought episode) cause plants and soil to move away from their equilibrium to eventually return to it through periodic and exponentially decaying fluctuations. Environmental stochasticity alters this expectation: the system can either settle into a fluctuation regime around the deterministic expectation, or some components of the system may go extinct. Our model results show that while the probability of extinction predictably increases with environmental stochasticity, the more negative the soil feedback, the more it can counteract the increase in extinction probability caused by increased environmental stochasticity, which can be empirically tested. The impact of plant-soil feedback, however, depends on the type of interactions that link soil to plants. These results suggest that plant communities in which strong negative soil feedbacks operate are better placed to withstand the risk posed by increased environmental stochasticity.
Tobacco smoking in men and women with different perceptions of social well- being: Findings of a large population-based study
Authors: Masihay-Akbar Hasti , Mehrabi Fahimeh , Mardi Neda , Amiri Parisa , Cheraghi Leila , Eini-Zinab Hassan , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate cigarette and hookah smoking in a population of Eastern-Mediterranean adults in relation to their perceived social well-being. Methods: Data of 2592 adults who participated in the 6th phase (2014-2016) of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) was used. After excluding those with missing data (n=235), 2357 remained for the sex-specific logistic regression to investigate the association between social well-being and current smoking (cigarette and hookah). The final model was adjusted for age, marital status, education, occupation, physical activity, and chronic disease history. Results: Compared to cigarette and hookah smokers, the mean scores of social well-being and all its dimensions were higher in non-smokers. While in men, cigarette smoking was significantly related to social well-being and all its dimensions, only women with higher social well-being, social integration, and coherence, were further at risk of cigarette smoking. Unlike men, whose hookah smoking was not at all related to their social well-being, women's hookah consumption was associated with social well-being, social integration and acceptance; one unit increase in the mean scores of social integration and acceptance in women reduced the risk of hookah use by 8%. Conclusion: Social well-being and tobacco smoking are related, and evident sex differences in this relationship should not be ignored in future tobacco control efforts.
Experimental study on residual stress in high-speed grinding of noncircular equidistant profile
Authors: Liu Wei , Yuan Houcai , Shi Xinyu , Liu Tao , Du Shishuai 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
To explore the formation mechanism of residual stress in the high-speed grinding of noncircular equidistant profile, the orthogonal experiments were designed with three grinding parameters including the grinding wheel speed, workpiece speed and grinding depth. A ceramic bond CBN grinding wheel was used for the high-speed grinding of noncircular equidistant profile by the X-C axis linkage. The effects of the three grinding parameters on the grinding temperature, surface roughness and residual stress were analyzed. The results show that with the increase of grinding wheel speed, the grinding temperature and residual stress increase, and the surface roughness decreases. As the increase of workpiece speed, the grinding temperature and residual stress decrease, and the surface roughness increases. As the increase of grinding depth, the grinding temperature, residual stress and surface roughness increase. Besides, the grinding depth has the greatest influence on the residual stress, followed by the grinding wheel speed and workpiece speed.
Gastroprotective effect of 8-alkylberberine derivatives on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats
Authors: Shang Yuanhong , Tian Jinfeng F. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid which protects the acute gastroenteritis and inhibits gastric ulcers, and 8-Alkylberberine (8-BBR-Cn, n=4, 8, 12 and 16) with a long aliphatic chain are synthesized have been reported. This paper investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the gastroprotective effect of 8-BBR-Cn derivatives at dose of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight on enthanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The ulcer index and percentage inhibition were evaluated. The stomachs tissues were chosen for determination of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) levels, and assay kit were used for the above two assays. Compared with model control group, the ulcer indexes of 8-BBR-Cn (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.g.) treatment groups decreased significantly. Additionally, 8-BBR-Cn could enhance PEG2 concentration in mucosal tissue of gastric ulcer rats. Moreover, in mucosal tissue, activities of total NOS (TNOS) and constitutive NOS (cNOS) were increased, but inducible NOS (iNOS) was decreased by 8-BBR-Cn. 8-BBR-Cn derivatives had protective effect on gastric mucous membrane, and 8-BBR-C16 displayed stronger gastroprotective effect as carbon chain at C8 position lengthens, which was related to prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide synthase pathways.
Identification of a Novel Pathogenic LDLR Mutation in a Chinese Family with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Zha Ling-Feng , Wang Jing-Lin , Chen Qian-Wen , Dong Jiang-Tao , Xie Tian , Jiao Jiao , Nie Shao-Fang , Tu Xin , Cheng Xiang 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) as the most common risk factor for premature coronary artery disease (CAD), results in huge economic burden on families and society, but it could be significantly under-diagnosed. Methods: In this study, we identified a pathogenic frame shift insertion mutation in LDLR (c.2517_2518insCA, p.C839fs) from a Chinese FH family through whole exome sequencing (WES) and sanger sequencing, which hasn't been reported before. According to the 2015 ACMG/AMP, the nonsense pathogenic mutation on LDLR (c.2517_2518insCA, p.C839fs) was classified as “pathogenic”. Results: This LOF mutation was estimated to change the free energy dynamic of RNA molecule, thus its stability and protein structure were predicted to eliminate an essential LDLR functional domain. Conclusions: This finding expanded our understanding of Phenotype–Genotype correlations of FH with LDLR gene mutations and emphasized the important role of genetic testing and genetic screening in the diagnosis and intervention of FH.
Rhizobium alarensis sp. nov., and Rhizobium halophilensis sp. nov., isolated from the nodule and rhizosphere of Lotus japonicus
Authors: Wan Chuanxing , Shen Hongling , Luo Xiaoxia , Xia Zhanfeng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Two strains (TRM95111T and TRM95001T) of Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped mycrobacteria were isolated from the nodule and rhizosphere of Lotus japonicus grown in the campus of Tarim University in Alar, Xinjiang, China. Strain TRM95111T and strain TRM95001T shared 93.1% 16S rRNA gene sequences similarity with each other and had 98.2% and 97.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the closest species Rhizobium subbaraonis JC85T and Rhizobium halotolerans AB21T, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, two housekeeping gene sequences (recA, atpD) and core genes showed that two strains belonged to the genus Rhizobium. The values of digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between strain TRM95111T and the closest strains R. subbaraonis JC85T and R. azooxidifex Po 20/26T were 21.8% and 21.4%, respectively. The dDDH values between strain TRM95001T and the closest strains R. halotolerans AB21T and R. flavum YW14T were 22.6% and 26.7%, respectively. Whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of the strain TRM95111T were 75.6%-77.5% and strain TRM95001T were 79.2%-79.6%, compared to their closely related strains. The G + C content values of strain TRM95111T and TRM95001T were 65.1 mol% and 60.7 mol%, respectively. Two isolates contained predominant quinone of Q-10 and the major fatty acids was C18:1ω7c and they were sensitive to 1 µg of amikacin and kanamycin. The polar lipids of strain TRM95111T included unidentified aminophospho lipids (APL1-3), unidentified phospholipids (PL1-2), phosphatidylcholine (PC), unidentified lipids (L1-5) and phospholipids of phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosamine (NPG), compared to the polar lipids of strain TRM95001T including unidentified aminophospho lipids (APL1-3), unidentified phospholipids (PL1-2), phosphatidylcholine (PC), unidentified lipids (L2-5), hydroxy phosphatidy ethanolamine (OH-PE) and phospholipids of phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosamine (NPG). Nodulation tests showed that two strains could induce nodules formation in L. japonicus. Based on genomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain TRM95111T and strain TRM95001T are suggested to represent two new species of the genus Rhizobium, whose names are proposed as Rhizobium alarensis sp. nov. and Rhizobium halophilensis sp. nov. The type strains are TRM95111T (= CCTCC AB 2021116T = JCM34826T) and TRM950011T (= CCTCC AB 2021095T = JCM34967T), respectively.