bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of magnesium aluminates nanoparticles for the removal of arsenic from drinking water
Authors: Alburaih H.A. , aman salma , Ahmad Naseeb , Ijaz Sana , Al-Buriahi M. S. , Farid Hafiz Muhammad Tahir , Arif Muhammad , Husain Ghazanfar , Ullah Hidayat , Alrowaili Z.A. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The presence of arsenic in the drinking water causes different diseases in human such as skin lesion, cancer of the lungs, bladder, skin, prostate, kidney, nose, liver, brain, chronic airway obstruction and black foot disease. It has been reported that the concentration of arsenic is increasing in the different areas of Pakistan. Therefore, drinking water samples have been collected from different areas of (Kot chutta) district Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab province, Pakistan and found that the arsenic concentration is much higher than recommended by world health organization (WHO) permissible level. So it is essential to remove the arsenic content from water to save the human’s life. The magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) synthesized by the coprecipitation method has been used as an adsorbent for the removal of arsenic from drinking water. The cubic structure, morphology and the composition of the synthesized adsorbent has been confirmed by XRD, SEM and EDS analyses. The synthesized materials are then used for the adsorptive removal of arsenic from the drinking water collected from various areas of District Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan as well as from the standard samples. Different adsorption models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich) have been employed to the adsorption data. The adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir isotherm model was found in the range of 56µg g− 1 which is much higher as compared to already reported in the literature. The results indicate that the magnesium aluminate can be used for the removal of arsenic from drinking water.
Improvement of the functional properties of cellulose acetate film by incorporating with glycerol and n-propanol
Authors: Dai Wei , Li Xiaoyan , Wu Yangfeng , Zang Kairong , Yuan Zhengqiu , Zeng Jianxian , Jian Jian , Zhou Hu 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Cellulose acetate (CA) was used for the preparation of food packaging film. Glycerol and n-propanol were introduced, as plasticizer and transparent agent, respectively for evaluating the possible changes of the film functional properties of tensile strength and transparency. The transmittance, haze value, tensile strength and flexibility were acquired by using optical and mechanical analyses, respectively. The presence of glycerol improved the functional properties of films by increasing their extensibility, flexibility, and elasticity; however transparency of the films deteriorated with the inclusion of plasticizer. Therefore, the addition of n-propanol as transparent agent into the films enhanced the transparency. Moreover, morphological changes and gas barrier property were confirmed by SEM and WVTR analyses. The results suggest that CA films incorporated with plasticizer and transparent agent have good functional properties in isolating water vapor, mechanical performance and optical properties, demonstrating that the optimal film has a potential in the application for food packaging.
Modeling for prediction of sawing force based on the maximum undeformed chip distribution in the granite sawing
Authors: Kang Jinyou , Zhang Jinsheng , Duan Zuogang , Zhang Heng 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Sawing by circular saw blades is predominant in the mechanized treatment of natural stone. The predictive sawing force is crucial for optimizing, controlling, and monitoring the sawing process. In this work, a novel model for predicting sawing force, which is based on the distribution of the undeformed chip thickness at the sawing contact arc, was proposed. Based on the analysis of the chip geometry of the circular saw blade, the segment surface was divided into the front end and rear end according to the contact pattern between the segment and granite, and the models of the maximum undeformed chip thickness of diamond particles on the front end and rear end were established. Results suggest that the new proposed force model fully considered the distribution of undeformed chips compared with the current model. And the novel model has higher prediction accuracy, the mean maximum absolute error rate was within 3.77%, and the maximum absolute error rate was within 7.83%. Through theoretical analysis, the ratio (is 1.67) of the maximum thickness of the undeformed chips of the front segment and rear segment can fully explain the wear nonuniformity of the segment. The proposed model is of great significance to the optimization of saw blade structure and process parameters.
Sharpening Key Capabilities and Illuminating Integrative Ways Towards Business Model Innovation
Authors: CHEN CHIH-HUNG 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Firms strategically improve, promote and sustain competitive advantages through businesses model innovation (BMI). While present research largely focuses on the context of sustainability and BMI from different aspects of business, relatively few studies conduct in-depth analysis of what key capabilities a firm needs to achieve BMI. Meanwhile, although progress has been made in understanding the domain of BMI, present studies often relied solely on either innovation culture or innovation policy. Little is known about the effects of the combination of these two parameters on BMI outcomes. Therefore, this study firstly identifies a firm’s key capabilities that are required towards BMI. Additionally, to examine the compound effect on the indirect relationships between a firm’s key capabilities and BMI outcomes, this paper simultaneously adopts innovation culture as a mediator and innovation policy a moderator. A structured questionnaire was designed and 287 valid samples were collected from a population comprised of 948 listed companies on Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2020. Hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS AMOS for direct path analysis and Process Model 5 for indirect effects. The results show that three key capabilities, including Architecture, Reputation and Innovation, are crucial for a firm to accumulate over time in reaching BMI. The findings also suggest that internal factor of innovation culture and external factor of innovation policies go hand in hand to accelerate firms to reach BMI. The outcomes may assist public authorities and company managers with a useful guideline to make relevant policies and govern businesses.
Spatio-temporal metabolic rewiring in the brain of TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Muñoz-Moreno Emma , Simões Rui Vasco , Tudela Raul , López-Gil Xavier , Soria Guadalupe 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Brain damage associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs even decades before the symptomatic onset, raising the need to investigate its progression from prodromal stages. In this context, animal models that progressively display AD pathological hallmarks (e.g. TgF344-AD) become crucial. Translational technologies, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), enable the longitudinal metabolic characterization of this disease. However, an integrative approach is required to unravel the complex metabolic changes underlying AD progression, from early to advanced stages.Methods: TgF344-AD and wild-type (WT) rats were studied in vivo on a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, for longitudinal quantitative assessment of brain metabolic profile changes using MRS. Disease progression was investigated at 4 time points, from 9 to 18 months of age, and in 4 regions: cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus.Results: Compared to WT, TgF344-AD rats replicated common findings in AD patients, including decreased N-acetylaspartate in the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus, and decreased glutamate in the thalamus and striatum. Different longitudinal evolution of metabolic concentration was observed between TgF344-AD and WT groups. Namely, age-dependent trajectories differed between groups for creatine in the cortex and thalamus and for taurine in cortex, with significant decreases in Tg344-AD animals; whereas myo-inositol in the thalamus and striatum showed greater increase along time in the WT group.Additional analysis revealed divergent intra- and inter-regional metabolic coupling in each group. Thus, in cortex, strong couplings of N-acetylaspartate and creatine with myo-inositol in WT, but with taurine in TgF344-AD rats were observed; whereas in the hippocampus, myo-inositol, taurine and choline compounds levels were highly correlated in WT but not in TgF344-AD animals. Furthermore, specific cortex-hippocampus-striatum metabolic crosstalks were found for for taurine levels in the WT group but for myo-inositol levels in the TgF344-AD rats.Conclusion: With a systems biology perspective of metabolic changes in AD pathology, our results shed light into the complex spatio-temporal metabolic rewiring in this disease, reported here for the first time. Age- and tissue-dependent imbalances between myo-inositol, taurine and other metabolites, such as creatine, unveil their role in disease progression, while pointing to the inadequacy of the latter as an internal reference for quantification.
A Novel Nomogram Containing Efficacy Indicators to Predict Axillary Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Clinically Node-Positive Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: shi Wenjie , Huang Xiaofeng , Wang Ye , Wan Xinyu , He Jinzhi , Xu Yinggang , Zhang Weiwei , Shi Xiaoqing , Chen Rui , Xu Lu , Zha Xiaoming , Wang Jue 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) could make some clinically node-positive (cN+) breast cancer patients achieve axillary pathologic complete response (pCR). This study aimed to identify the patients who are likely to achieve axillary pCR and help surgeons make surgical decisions of the axilla. Methods: The cN+ breast cancer patients who received NST from 2015 to 2021 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and a nomogram was constructed based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the probability of axillary pCR and validated.Results: The axillary pCR was achieved in 208 (38.7%) patients. Patients who had a higher radiological response rate of breast tumor (P = 0.039), smaller longest diameter of positive node after NST (P = 0.028), ER-negative status (P = 0.006), HER2-positive status (P = 0.048) and breast pCR (P < 0.001) were more likely to achieve axillary pCR. The nomogram had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.747–0.843), and the calibration curve showed good agreement.Conclusion: A nomogram was constructed to predict the axillary pCR of cN+ patients receiving NST based on baseline and efficacy indicators to assist surgeons in making surgical decisions of the axilla.
HMGB1 recruits natural killer cells by CXCL12/CXCR4 axis contributing to persistent airway inﬂammation and airway hyperresponsiveness during the late stage of respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Chen Sisi , Tang Wei , Yu Guangyuan , Liu Enmei 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
We previously showed that both high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and natural killer (NK) cells contribute to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced persistent airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Meanwhile, Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor (chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4) were reported to play important roles in recruitment of immune cells. The relationships between them remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether HMGB1 recruits NK cells via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, thereby mediating RSV-induced persistent airway disorders. An anti-HMGB1 neutralizing antibody and inhibitor of CXCR4 (AMD3100) was administered to observe changes in the percentage of NK cells and airway disorder in nude mice. Results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGB1 were elevated in late stage of RSV infection and persistent airway inflammation and AHR were diminished after administration of anti-HMGB1 antibodies, with an associated significant decrease in NK cells. In addition, CXCL12 and CXCR4 were reduced after HMGB1 blockade. Treatment with AMD3100 significantly suppressed the recruitment of NK cells and alleviated the airway disorders. Thus, HMGB1 recruits NK cells through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, leading to persistent airway inflammation and AHR in late stage of RSV infection.
Response to bridge phase treatment in Medication Overuse Headache
Authors: Togha Mansoureh , Martami Fahimeh , Alikhani Reyhaneh , Saatchi Mohammad , Fattahi Mohammad-Reza 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Objective
Withdrawal of the overused drugs in medication overuse headache (MOH) can contribute to severe rebound headache and many other symptoms. In this regard, some centers perform bridge therapy during the days of withdrawal to manage the rebound headache and withdrawal symptoms resulting from the discontinuation of the offending drug. To investigate the response to treatment during bridge therapy and the association between different risk factors and response to therapy in patients with MOH.
Method
A total of 178 MOH patients with a mean age of 43.29 years and at least one failed outpatient course of treatment was evaluated in the current retrospective cross-sectional study. We investigate the effectiveness of different medications administered during the bridge phase as well as the association between response to treatment and several risk factors. Response to treatment was defined as an improvement of more than 50% in attack duration or intensity 72 hours after receiving treatment.
Results
In our MOH series, all patients who received methylprednisolone and about 70% of those who were treated with celecoxib during bridge therapy, had a response rate of more than 50%. Additionally, MOH duration was significantly shorter in patients with a high response to treatment compared to a low response group.
Conclusion
Our finding suggests that methylprednisolone and celecoxib with high response rates could be good choices as bridge phase therapy in MOH patients. The inverse relationship between the duration of MOH and response to treatment also emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of MOH.
Innovation under Fiscal Constraints: Evidence from Public Sector in Europe
Authors: Khanal Shaleen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The Great Recession of 2008 put public sector in Europe under considerable strain. Countries across the continent slashed their public administration budgets to manage their expenditure. Austerity measures also included spending cuts in other important areas like social protection. Under such circumstances, public organizations were under considerable financial and political pressure to find novel and innovative solutions to their increasingly complex social problems. However, evidence shows that financial resources are crucial for organizations to innovate. In this study, we examine the innovation outcomes of public organizations under conditions of budget constraints. Using data from the Coordinating for Cohesion in the Public Sector of the Future (COCOPs) project, we show that fiscal constraints were associated with significant negative innovation outcomes in European public sector. We also use Merton’s strain theory to design a framework for innovation under fiscal constraints. The results support the framework and show that under conditions of strong civic norms, public organizations are forced to innovate when faced with financial strain.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Cobas 6800 RT-PCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Authors: Mahmoud Sally , ganesan subhashini , Raheja Preety , Cantarutti Flavia , Zaher Walid Abbas 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid development and launch of several commercial RT-PCR based assays for identification of SARS-CoV-2. However, there is lack of peer-reviewed literatures apart from manufacturers’ on the evaluation of these commercial kits. Therefore, in this study we aim to conduct an inhouse evaluation of the automated Cobas 68000 RT-PCR assay in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections using different pooling techniques.
Methods
An observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of the Cobas 6800 SARS-CoV-2 assay in comparison with the Labgun Exofast RT-PCR kit using a by using both the pooled and the non-pooled sample techniques. A total of 300 nasopharyngeal swab samples, 40 known positive samples and 260 negative samples were used for pooling and the performance was evaluated in three different pool sizes of four, five and six sample pools.
Results
The sensitivity and specificity of the Cobas 6800 was 100% when compared to the comparator assay. Sample pooling technique showed that specificity was 100% in all pool sizes and the sensitivity varied from 95% in six pooled sample to 100% in both five and four pooled samples. The lower limit of detection was verified to be 25 copies/ml and strong correlation was observed between the Ct values of the target genes of both the assays.
Conclusion
Cobas 6800 RT-PCR assay is a reliable platform for qualitative and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 and can be effectively utilized for pooling of samples with highly efficient performance when the disease prevalence is less.
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Sex Sorted Semen of Bos indicus and Bos taurus Breeds
Authors: Gaddam Naresh , T Viroji Rao S , Putty Kalyani , D Sakaram , Ganji Vishweshwar Kumar 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Sexed semen can be used to produce offspring of the desired sex, and to produce replacement heifers from genetically superior cows. In the Indian dairy industry, this revolutionary technique is in its budding stage. The objective of this study was to assess quantitative and qualitative parameters of a) bovine cryopreserved sexed (for X sperm cells) (XS) spermatozoa produced through two different major commercial semen sorting techniques, and b) unsexed (US) spermatozoa of Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds. By real-time PCR, it was found that the percentage of X chromosome bearing spermatozoa ranged from 62.88%±0.56 to 71.21±0.93 in US semen samples of four different cattle breeds: Holstein Friesian (HF), Jersey, Gir and Sahiwal. The corresponding values in semen sorted through flow cytometry technique ranged from 99.02% ±3.36 to 99.99%±4.56 in the above four cattle breeds; while the percentage of XS semen obtained through the decapitation of Y chromosome following sorting by flow cytometry ranged from 95.92% ±1.83 to 97.99%±2.74. Qualitatively, US sperm samples were found significantly (P<0.01) superior with high semen motility (65.98% ± 0.23), acrosomal integrity (75.28% ± 0.05), live spermatozoa (67.83% ± 0.42), and less sperm abnormalities (13.82% ± 0.02) than sexed semen samples. This is the first study to compare the quantitative and qualitative parameters of XS and US semen samples of major cattle breeds in India and adds significantly to the knowledge on semen sexing in Indian dairy industry.
Effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on preventive behaviors: Panel data analysis from Japan
Authors: YAMAMURA Eiji , Kosaka Youki , Tsutsui Yoshiro , Ohtake Fumio 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is key to reducing the probability of contracting COVID-19. The vaccine is generally known to prevent severe illness, death, and hospitalization as a result of the disease and for considerably reducing COVID-19 infection risk. Accordingly, this might significantly change an individual’s perceived risk of altering everyday behaviors. For instance, the proliferation of vaccination is anticipated to reduce preventive behaviors such as staying at home, handwashing, and wearing a mask.
Methods
We corresponded with the same individuals monthly for 18 months from March 2020 (early stage of COVID-19) to September 2021 in Japan to independently construct large sample panel data (N = 54,007), with a participation rate of 54.7%. We used a fixed effects model, controlling for key confounders, to determine whether vaccination was associated with a change in preventive behaviors.
Results
The major findings are as follows. Contrary to the prediction, (1) based on the whole sample, being vaccinated against COVID-19 led people to stay at home; however, it did not change the habit of handwashing and wearing a mask. Especially after the second shot, respondents were likelier to stay at home by 0.107 (95% CIs: 0.059–0.154) points on a 5-point scale compared to before the vaccination. Dividing the entire sample into young and old, (2) those aged ≤ 40 years were more likely to go out after being vaccinated, and (3) people over 40 years of age were more likely to stay at home (similar to the first result).
Discussion
Preventive behaviors impact all individuals during the current pandemic. Informal social norms motivate people to increase or maintain preventive behaviors even after being vaccinated in societies where these behaviors are not enforced.
Adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy and early markers for cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Nijhof Annemiek Van Ommen - , Jacobse Judy N. , Steggink Lars C. , Lefrandt Joop D. , Gietema Jourik A. , Leeuwen Flora E. Van , Schaapveld Michael , Sonke Gabe S. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
PurposeAromatase inhibitors (AIs) are an important component of the adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor positive breast cancer (BC) but concerns regarding their cardiovascular safety remain. In this cross-sectional study nested in a breast cancer cohort, we investigated the association between AI exposure and early markers for cardiovascular disease in BC survivors.MethodsThe study population consisted of 569 women, who were 5-7 years (n=277) or 10-12 years (n=292) after BC diagnosis. All participants underwent carotid ultrasound, skin autofluorescence measurement and laboratory evaluation. To quantify AI exposure, we obtained the AI ratio by dividing the duration of AI use by the total duration of endocrine therapy (ET). Patients were classified according to their AI ratio into low (no ET or AI ratio <0.40), intermediate (0.40≤ AI ratio ≤0.60) or high AI exposure (AI ratio >0.60). The association between AI ratio and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the presence of dyslipidemia was assessed using linear and logistic regression.Results Median age at study visit was 55.5 years (range 45.2-63.8). Forty percent (n=231) of the study population had used AIs, of whom the majority sequentially with tamoxifen; median duration of AI use was 3.0 years. Mean cIMT and mean AGEs did not differ across AI exposure groups in univariable and multivariable analysis. The occurrence of dyslipidemia did not vary across AI exposure groups. Intermediate AI exposure was associated with more frequent occurrence of the combined endpoint (elevated cIMT, elevated AGEs and/or dyslipidemia). This association, however, was not present in the group with highest AI exposure.ConclusionAI exposure was not associated with cIMT, AGEs or the presence of dyslipidemia. Our results are reassuring for the cardiovascular safety of patients who receive treatment with AIs to reduce the risk of BC recurrence.Trial registration number (clinicaltrials.gov): NCT02485626, June 30, 2015