bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EHR Implementation and Financial Performance: The Case of Under-Resourced (High Medicaid) Nursing Homes
Authors: Dayama Neeraj , Pradhan Rohit , Davlyatov Ganisher , Weech-Maldonado Robert 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The nursing home industry operates in a two-tiered system—high Medicaid nursing homes (Medicaid census > 85%) cater disproportionately to marginalized populations, and exhibit both poorer quality of care and financial performance. Despite EHRs’ purported positive impact on nursing home performance, high Medicaid nursing homes may be precluded from implementing EHR due to their precarious financial position. Compelling evidence on a return on investment (ROI) from HIT adoption may be required for reluctant nursing homes to invest in HIT systems. Utilizing the Resource-Based View (RBV), the primary purpose of this study was to understand whether EHR implementation in high Medicaid nursing homes is associated with improved financial performance. Methods: EHR implementation data in high Medicaid nursing homes was collected via mail surveys sent to the Directors of Nursing (DON). We surveyed 1050 high Medicaid nursing homes and received 391 responses. The survey data was merged with the following secondary data sources: Brown University’s LTCFocus, Area Health Resource File (AHRF), and the CMS Medicare Cost Reports. Multivariable regression model was used to understand the effect of EHR implementation on financial performance (total margin), adjusting for both organizational and market-level variables and potential non-response bias using propensity score inverse probability weighting. Results: Approximately 76% of nursing homes in our study sample had either fully or partially implemented EHR. In our multivariable regression model, for every unit increase in total(average) EHR implementation, there was a 3.12% increase in the total margin (p<0.05). Conclusions: High Medicaid nursing homes with higher EHR implementation experienced superior financial performance. Improved financial performance may result from increased revenues and/or reduced costs via the ability to attract more remunerative residents, greater charge capture, improved practice efficiency, documentation management, medication safety, and adverse event reporting.Implications for Policy or Practice: From a policy standpoint, our findings suggesting a sustainable economic argument for EHR implementation offer a strong rationale for targeted policy efforts, including extending subsidies, to ensure that US nursing homes are no longer the laggards in EHR implementation. For nursing home administrators, our findings suggest a potential business case—there may be long-term financial returns for the initial financial burden of EHR implementation.
Afforestation alters functions of soil and microbiome but does not drive soil carbon accumulation in two decades
Authors: Qi Wenhua , Zhang Quanfa , Chen Youchao , Li Xinshuai , Cheng Xiaoli , Ye Chen , Lu Fei , Dang Haishan , Zhang Kerong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Afforestation has been proposed as an effective strategy for restoration and carbon sequestration, however, its impacts on the functions of soils and microbiome remain poorly understood. By analyzing 144 afforestation sites across a 159 000 square kilometer watershed in China, a typical region characterized with rapid forest expansion in global land-use change map, we provided the first large-scale observation evidence that afforestation did not drive net accumulation of soil carbon and nitrogen in two decades. Afforestation significantly shifted the soil microbial community and their functional profiles of element cycling, increased soil prokaryotic diversity but reduced fungal diversity. Afforestation reduced the network complexity of soil prokaryotes but did not change the complexity of fungal networks. Planting introduced- poplar reduced soil multifunctionality while native trees did not change multifunctionality. Our results reveal the ecological responses of soils to afforestation across a broad geographic scale and provide new insights for forest restoration programs.
Network pharmacology and bioinformatics approach reveals the therapeutic mechanism of action of curcumin in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Vijh Deepanshi , Imam Md. Ali , Haque Mohd Maksuf Ul , Das Subhajit , Islam Asimul , Malik Md Zubbair 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Curcumin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and shows a major role in reducing the amyloid plaques formation which is the major cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Consequently, a methodical approach was used to select the potential protein targets of curcumin in AD through network pharmacology. In this study, through integrative methods AD targets of curcumin through SwissTargetPrediction databases, STITCH database, BindingDB, PharmMapper, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database were predicted followed by gene enrichment, network construction, network topology, and docking studies. Gene ontology analysis facilitated identification of a list of possible AD targets of curcumin (74 targets genes). The correlation of the obtained targets with AD was analysed by Gene Ontology (GO) pathway enrichment analyses and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Using network pharmacological approach, we identified five key genes (RARA, APP, PRARG, STAT3 and MAPK1). Further, we performed molecular docking for analysing the mechanism of curcumin. To validate the temporospatial expression of key genes in human central nervous system (CNS), we searched the Human Brain Transcriptome (HBT) dataset. This study concluded with novel insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of curcumin which in the future will ease the treatment of AD with the clinical application of curcumin.
Microvesicle-camouflaged biomimetic nanoparticles encapsulating a metal-organic framework for targeted rheumatoid arthritis therapy
Authors: Wang Yao , Jia Ming , Zheng Xiu , Wang Chenglong , Zhou Yun , Pan Hong , Liu Yan , Lu Ji , Mei Zhiqiang , Li Chunhong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Methotrexate (MTX) has been highlighted for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, however, MTX does not accumulate well at inflamed sites, and long-term administration in high doses leads to severe side effects. In this study, a novel anti-RA nanoparticle complex was designed and constructed, which could improve the targeted accumulation in inflamed joints and reduce side effects.Results: Here, we prepared a pH-sensitive biomimetic drug delivery system based on macrophage-derived microvesicle (MV)-coated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles that encapsulated the drug methotrexate (hereafter MV/MTX@ZIF-8). The MV/MTX@ZIF-8 nanoparticles were further modified with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[folate (polyethylene glycol)-2000] (hereafter FPD/MV/MTX@ZIF-8) to exploit the high affinity of folate receptor β for folic acid on the surface of activated macrophages in RA. MTX@ZIF-8 nanoparticles showed high DLE (~70%) and EE (~82%). In vitro study showed that effective drug release in an acidic environment could be achieved. Further, we confirmed the activated macrophage could uptake much more FPD/MV/MTX@ZIF-8 than inactivated cells. In vivo biodistribution experiment displayed FPD/MV/MTX@ZIF-8 nanoparticles showed the longest circulation time and best joint targeting. Furthermore, pharmacodynamic experiments confirmed that FPD/MV/MTX@ZIF-8 showed sufficient therapeutic efficacy and safety to explore clinical applications.Conclusion: This study provides a novel approach for the development of biocompatible drug-encapsulating nanomaterials based on MV-coated metal-organic frameworks for effective RA treatment.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Bis-benzimidazolium Salts and Their Silver(I)-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Adnan , Nadeem Rana Yasir , Yaqoob Munazzah , Yam WanSinn , Haque Rosenani A. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Azolium salts are stable sources of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), an emerging class of ligands. Due to prominent properties, they have versatile applications. In the current study, new bis-benzimidazolium salts and their silver complexes were synthesized and confirmed through spectroscopic analysis. Compounds were characterized using FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Biological potentials of these compounds were investigated for antibacterial activity against both the gram-positive (Staphylococcus Aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia Coli) strains. The salts L1 and L2 showed zone inhibition of 17 ± 1 and 13.33 ± 0.58 mm for S. Aureus and 8.83 ± 0.76 and 8.83 ± 0.58 mm for E. Coli, respectively. The respective silver complexes C1 and C2 showed better zone of inhibitions for both the strains, i.e., 18.67 ± 0.58 and 19.83 ± 0.29 mm for S. Aureus and 12.5 ± 0.5 and 14.33 ± 0.58 mm for E. Coli, respectively. The salts showed a good trend in scavenging concerning the increasing concentration and presented the IC50 values in the range of 3.51 and 15.36 µg/mL, respectively, which showed that these compounds are good antioxidant agents. The Hemolytic potentential of compounds were checked and L2 was found least tixic with 7.37 ± 0.11 value.
Dynamics in COVID-19 Symptoms During Different Waves of the Pandemic Among Children Infected with SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Tov Amir Ben , Lotan Roni , Gazit Sivan , Chodick Gabriel , Perez Galit , Mizrahi-Reuveni Miri , Patalon tal 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The aim of this real-life, big data population-based study was to evaluate differences in symptomatic presentation of children infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) between the third and fourth waves of the pandemic in Israel, dominated by the Alpha and Delta variants, respectively. Our cohort included all children and adolescents, members of the second-largest Health Maintenance Organisation in Israel that had positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test during the third and fourth waves of the pandemic (December 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021, and June 1, 2021 - October 10, 2021, respectively). A total of 32,485 and 44,130 children and adolescents in the third and fourth waves were included in the final analysis. The rate of children with symptomatic disease among patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher in the fourth wave compared to the third wave (49.9% vs. 37.5%). The most commonly reported symptom and the only symptom that substantially differed between waves was fever, with 33% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children in the fourth wave vs. 13.6% in the third wave. Preschool children had the lowest prevalence of febrile illness compared to other age groups.Conclusion: Children and adolescents infected during the fourth wave of the pandemic in Israel, a Delta-dominant period, had a significantly higher rate of symptomatic febrile illness than the Alpha-dominant period. This phenomenon occurred across all age groups.
Biotechnologies Tools for Germination and Preservation of Butia Eriospatha Embryos (Arecaceae)
Authors: Daniela Goeten , Elias Rosa Angélica , Silva Maycon Moraes da , Walters Christina , Guerra Miguel Pedro , Steiner Neusa 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Butia eriospatha is an endemic species of Brazilian Atlantic Forest and due to the anthropic intervention, it is in the vulnerable conservation status. In this species, plants are only regenerate by seeds which have dormancy and slow as well low germination. To cope with the concern limitation of seedling establishment we study B. eriospatha embryo desiccation tolerance threshold as well the physiological requirement for in vitro germination and cryopreservation. Fresh embryos and desiccated ones were in vitro germinated using a culture medium with hormones and antioxidants. The embryo desiccation tolerance threshold was 0.14 gH2O.gDW-1 with 93.33% of germination. During embryos desiccation was observed a significant increase in PUT, which resulted in the ratio decrease [(SPD+SPM). PUT-1] DW), but the SPD was the most abundant polyamine overall. Significant increase in POD and APX activity led us to suggest that they are the main enzymes involved in cellular protection during desiccation. An increase of amino acids content, especially glutamic acid (Glu), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), glutamine (Gln), which are known as osmoprotectors, also was observed. A specific embryo desiccation stage (0.14 gH2O gDW-1) associated to its biochemical state were successfully used in the cryopreservation protocol and result in more than 90% of recovery and in vitro germination. The physiological and biochemistry approach of this study associated to an applied protocol for plant genetic resources conservation of B. eriospatha embryo can be potentially used for other Arecaceae species.
Synthesis, Thermal properties and electrical conductivity of Na-Sialate geopolymer
Authors: SOUISSI Fatma Zahra , Hajji Malek , Ettoumi Houda , Sellami Mouna , BenKhalifa Jamel , Barre Maud , Guerfel Taha 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In this work, the central focus is upon the synthesis of new Na-Sialate geopolymer concerning as ionic conductive material for electric and electrochemical devices. The studied material was prepared at ambient temperature by a mixture of metakaolin and sodium hydroxide. In order to study the change in gel structure and phase composition at each heating step. The synthetic compound was characterized by several techniques.The phase identification of Na-Sialate geopolymer, was carried out by powders X-ray diffraction, showed an amorphous character at ambient temperature. As well as minor amounts of high temperature crystalline phases were appeared which were: zeolite (300-600°C), Nepheline (NaAlSiO4) (900-1150° C). Above 1200°C, the structural reorganization occurs due to the phase crystallization of corundum (α-Al2O3). The dissolution of the grains by the liquid phase formed induces the conversion of the structure of the material from sialate [-Si-O-Al-O] to sialate siloxo [-Si-O-Al-O-Si-O-]. These results were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).The thermal analysis offered a thermal stability of Na-geopolymer up to 1400°C.The electrical measurements were applied to investigate Na+ ions conductivity of Na-geopolymer. The results showed that Na-Sialate geopolymer materials exhibit high ionic conductivity of approximately 5.10−5 S.cm− 1 in air, at room temperature.
Attachment Styles And Happiness In The Elderly: The Mediating Role of Reminiscence Styles
Authors: Momeni Khodamorad , Amani Rozita , Janjani Parisa , Majzoobi Mohammad Reza , Forstmeier Simon , Nosrati Parisa 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The current study aims to investigate the relationship between attachment styles and happiness through the mediating role of reminiscence styles in the elderly. Methods: This was a correlational study of structural equations modelling (SEM) type. The statistical population included all the elderly aged at least 60 years living in Kermanshah province, Iran in 2021, among whom 380 (182 men and 198 women) were selected using convenience sampling method. Participants filled out the questionnaires of Adult Attachment Styles, Oxford Happiness, and Amani et al.’s Reminiscence Styles. Results: The results indicated that secure attachment style has a positive and negative relationship with positive reminiscence (PR) and negative reminiscence (NR), respectively. However, the opposite held true for both avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles. It was also found that secure attachment style has a positive relationship, and avoidant and ambivalent attachment styles have a negative relationship with happiness. Moreover, participants’ gender and age had no moderating effect on the mentioned relationships. The results of SEM indicated that secure and ambivalent attachment styles were associated with happiness through both PR and NR, and avoidant attachment style was associated with happiness only through NR. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the significance of the development of internal working models based on the kind of parent-child’s reminiscences and narratives, and the lifelong effects of these models.
Lipid-Coated Hybrid Nanoparticles for Enhanced Bacterial Biofilm Penetration and Antibiofilm Efficacy
Authors: Lee Hiang Wee , Kharel Sharad , Loo Say Chye Joachim 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: The biofilm way of life is a common strategy for bacteria to adapt and gain tolerance towards antibiotic treatments. Up to 80% of all infections are biofilm-mediated and they are often challenging to treat as the underlying bacterial cells can become 100 – 1000-fold more tolerant towards antibiotics. Antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles have gained traction as a potential drug delivery system to treat biofilm infections. Specifically, lipid-coated hybrid nanoparticles (LCHNPs) were investigated on their capability to deliver antibiotics into biofilms. In this study, LCHNPs composed of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) core and dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) lipid shell were developed and loaded with vancomycin (Van). In vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm tests were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the LCHNPs. Results: LCHNPs were successfully fabricated with high vancomycin encapsulation efficiency of 48.66% and loading efficiency of 72.99 µg/mg. DOTAP was determined to be successfully coated on the PLGA core by measuring the ζ-potential of the nanoparticles. LCHNPs had a positive ζ-potential of +36.13 mV which contrasted significantly from the ζ-potential of -36.83 mV of bare PLGA nanoparticles (PLGANPs). LCHNPs exhibited enhanced antibacterial effects against planktonic Staphylococcus aureus USA300 cells, with at least 6-fold reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration when compared against Free-Van and Van-PLGANPs. When used to treat USA300 biofilms, Van-LCHNPs eradicated up to 99.99% of the underlying biofilm cells, an effect which was not observed for Free-Van and Van-PLGANPs. Finally, we showed that by possessing a robust DOTAP shell, LCHNPs were able to penetrate deeply into the biofilms. Conclusion: LCHNPs were shown to display remarkable antimicrobial efficacy towards both planktonic and biofilm cells as the presence of the lipid shell enhanced the interactions with bacterial cells and penetration into biofilms. More work could be done to understand nanoparticle-biofilm interactions; this would help to optimize the LCHNPs further to treat biofilm infections successfully.
Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Ceratonia Siliqua L. Aqueous Extract: Optimization, Characterization, Stabilization and Evaluation of Its Antibacterial Activity Against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Demirezen Derya Aksu , Yılmaz Şeyda , Yılmaz Dilek Demirezen , Yıldız Yalçın Şevki 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
This study focused on the optimization of reaction parameters for a simple and reliable method for the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (gIONPs). The potential of aqueous extract of the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob pod) as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent for gIONPs synthesis, and the antibacterial activity of as-synthesized gIONPs was investigated. The synthesis parameters were determined as the concentration of iron ion, the concentration of extract, pH of extract, temperature, stirring rate, and reaction time. The significance of the studied factors in controlling the particle size distribution of nanoparticles was quantitatively evaluated via analysis of variance (ANOVA). Iron oxide nanoparticles were produced at the optimum parameters with an average zeta potential of + 40.75 ± 1.22 mV, hydrodynamic size of 78 ± 22 nm, and a polydispersity value of 0.42 ± 0.06, respectively. gIONPs showed the highest inhibition zones of 24 mm and 21 mm in 250 mg/mL concentration against Gram-negative Escherichia Coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Strong antibacterial activity was observed when compared with the standard antibiotics. The findings of the study revealed that the highly stable and antibacterial iron oxide nanoparticles can be synthesized through the adjustment of the reaction parameters by eliminating chemicals and increasing awareness of green chemistry.
Characteristics of Gut Microbiota and Its Relationship With Serum Sex Hormones in Non-obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients With Insulin Resistance
Authors: Cai Mengcheng , Ni Zhexin , Yao YanNing , Yu Jin , Yu Chaoqin , Zhou Ling , Zhai Dongxia 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a common symptom in obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, as well as in non-obese PCOS patients. Gut microbiota is closely related to IR. However, the relationship between gut microbiota and IR remains unclear in non-obese PCOS patients. Objective: To analyze the composition of the gut microbiota population in non-obese PCOS-IR patients compared to PCOS alone and healthy women. Methods: In the present study, fecal samples from non-obese PCOS patients with and without IR and healthy women were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Moreover, serum hormone levels were detected on the third day of menstruation, and the correlation between gut microbiota and serum hormone was analyzed using R language.Results: We found that the gut microbiota character differed in each group, and the gut microbiota abundance of PCOS-IR group was remarkably reduced.The abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-004 and Acetanaerobacterium in the PCOS-IR group was significantly lower than that of the PCOS-NIR group. Furthermore, the comparison between PCOS-IR and control group revealed that g__Fusobacterium and g__Faecalibaculum were the unique genus of the PCOS-IR group. Moreover, the relationship between gut microbiota, IR, and serum sex hormones was determined. In PCOS with IR group, the relationship between gut microbiota and androgen was more significant. In PCOS without IR group, the relationship between gut microbiota and androgen was no significant. Its mechanism may be related to the different abundance in enzymes (futalosine hydrolase, arogenate dehydrogenase (NADP(+), and L-lysine 6-transaminase) and metabolic pathways (isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, styrene degradation, and atrazine degradation), but it needs to be further explored in subsequent experiments. Conclusion: The gut microbiota composition of non-obese PCOS patients with insulin resistance is different from that of PCOS alone and healthy women. The difference is correlated with the clinical characteristics of PCOS, with regards to insulin resistance and sex hormone. The abnormality of gut microbiota may lead to the occurrence and development of PCOS-IR. All in all, this study not only provided supplements for the existing studies, but also revealed the potential pathogenic bacteria genus, thus providing a new idea for the treatment of PCOS with IR.
Expectation Maximization Algorithm with Combinatorial Assumption
Authors: Nguyen Loc 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is a popular and powerful mathematical method for parameter estimation in case that there exist both observed data and hidden data. The EM process depends on an implicit relationship between observed data and hidden data which is specified by a mapping function in traditional EM and a joint probability density function (PDF) in practical EM. However, the mapping function is vague and impractical whereas the joint PDF is not easy to be defined because of heterogeneity between observed data and hidden data. The research aims to improve competency of EM by making it more feasible and easier to be specified, which removes the vagueness. Therefore, the research proposes an assumption that observed data is the combination of hidden data which is realized as an analytic function where data points are numerical. In other words, observed points are supposedly calculated from hidden points via regression model. Mathematical computations and proofs indicate feasibility and clearness of the proposed method which can be considered as an extension of EM.