bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergence of Monosynaptic Inputs from Neurons in The Brainstem and Forebrain on Parabrachial Neurons That Project to The Paraventricular Nucleus of The Thalamus
Authors: Kirouac Gilbert J , Li Sa , Li Shuanghong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) projects to areas of the forebrain involved in behavior. Homeostatic challenges and salient cues activate the PVT and evidence shows that the PVT regulates appetitive and aversive responses. The brainstem is a source of afferents to the PVT and the present study was done to determine if the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB) is a relay for inputs to the PVT. Retrograde tracing experiments with cholera toxin B (CTB) demonstrate that the LPB contains more PVT projecting neurons than other regions of the brainstem including the catecholamine cell groups. The hypothesis that the LPB is a relay for brainstem signals to the PVT was assessed using an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach. Sources of inputs included the reticular formation, periaqueductal gray (PAG), nucleus cuneiformis, superior and inferior colliculi, and the LPB. Distinctive clusters of input cells to LPB-PVT projecting neurons were also found in the dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Anterograde viral tracing demonstrates that LPB-PVT neurons densely innervate all of the PVT in addition to providing collateral innervation to the preoptic area, lateral hypothalamus, zona incerta and PAG but not the BSTDL and CeL. The paper discusses the anatomical evidence that suggests that the PVT is part of a network of interconnected neurons involved in arousal, homeostasis, and the regulation of behavioral states with forebrain regions potentially providing descending modulation or gating of signals relayed from the LPB to the PVT.
The Effect of Incubation Near an Inverted Pyramidal Structure on Adsorption Properties of an Enzyme
Authors: Ivanov Yuri D. , Tatur Vadim Yu. , Pleshakova Tatyana O. , Shumov Ivan D. , Kozlov Andrey F. , Valueva Anastasia A. , Ivanova Irina A. , Ershova Maria O. , Ivanova Nina D. , Stepanov Igor N. , Lukyanitsa Andrei A. , Ziborov Vadim S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The incubation of a solution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme near an inverted pyramid (IP) has been found to influence the enzyme's aggregation and adsorption properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been employed to study the adsorption of HRP onto mica substrates at the single-molecule level, while spectrophotometry has been used as a reference method for the estimation of its enzymatic activity. By AFM, we have revealed an increase in the relative content of HRP oligomers adsorbed onto mica substrates after the incubation of the HRP solutions below the IP's apex in comparison with the control HRP solution. The same situation has been observed after the incubation of the enzyme solution above the center of the IP's base. At that, the enzymatic activity of HRP remained virtually unchanged in the both cases. Since pyramidal structures of positive and inverted orientation are employed in biosensor devices, the results obtained in our study are important to be taken into account in the development of highly sensitive biosensor systems.
Prediction of Array Antenna Assembly Accuracy Based on Auto-Encoder and Boosting-OSKELM
Authors: Wang Miao , Tong Yifei , Zhou Tong 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
As a complex mechanical and electrical product, array antenna involves many parts and requires high precision, so its assembly process is complex, changeable and difficult to control. As a result, the assembly accuracy often fails to meet the design requirements and needs to be reassembled repeatedly, resulting in the delay of delivery date. In order to realize the accurate and efficient prediction of array antenna assembly accuracy, a prediction method based on auto-encoder and online sequential kernel extreme learning machine with boosting (Boosting-OSKELM) is proposed in this paper. The method is mainly divided into two steps: Firstly, the auto-encoder with fine-tuning trick is used for training and representation reduction of the data. Then, the data is taken as the input of Boosting-OSKELM to complete the initial training of the model. When new sample data is generated, Boosting-OSKELM can realize the online correction of the model through rapid iteration. The test shows that this method has strong robustness in prediction accuracy and online learning ability.
Time-varying transmission heterogeneity of SARS and COVID-19 in Hong Kong
Authors: Adam Dillon , Gostic Katelyn , Tsang Tim , Wu Peng , Lim Wey Wen , Yeung Amy , Wong Jessica , Lau Eric , Du Zhanwei , Chen Dongxuan , Ho Lai-Ming , Martín-Sánchez Mario , Cauchemez Simon , Cobey Sarah , Leung Gabriel , Cowling Benjamin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Transmission heterogeneity is a notable feature of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemics, though previous efforts to estimate how heterogeneity changes over time are limited. Using contact tracing data, we compared the epidemiology of SARS and COVID-19 infection in Hong Kong in 2003 and 2020-21 and estimated time-varying transmission heterogeneity (kt) by fitting negative binomial models to offspring distributions generated across variable observation windows. kt fluctuated over time for both COVID-19 and SARS on a continuous scale though SARS exhibited significantly greater (p < 0.001) heterogeneity compared to COVID-19 overall and in-time. For COVID-19, kt declined over time and was significantly associated with increasingly stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions though similar evidence for SARS was inconclusive. Underdetection of sporadic COVID-19 cases led to a moderate overestimation of kt, indicating COVID-19 heterogeneity of could be greater than observed. Time-varying or real-time estimates of transmission heterogeneity could become a critical indicator for epidemic intelligence in the future.
Comparison of fluorine removal performance and mechanism of spheroidal magnesium oxide before and after lanthanum modification
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhou Yuming , Yao Qingzhao , Zhang Fanli , Chen Wanying , Liu Yang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Use simple magnesium salt as raw material, the magnesium oxide precursor powder was synthesized, and then the spheroidal magnesium oxide (SMO) was synthesized by controlled temperature calcination. Then lanthanum-modified spheroidal magnesium oxide (LSMO) was prepared by impregnation. The SMO and LSMO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For the initial fluorine concentration of 10mg/L fluoride solution, the maximum fluoride removal efficiency of 15% impregnation ratio lanthanum modified spheroidal magnesium oxide (15LSMO) is 93.1%, which is higher than 82.7% of SMO, far lower than the international standard 1.5mg/L. In addition, in the pH range of 2-11, and in the presence of interfering ions, the effect of 15LSMO also meets the international standards for fluoride removal. For the enhancement of fluoride removal effect of defluoridation agent, lanthanum modified material defluoridation mechanism changes have profound insights.
Design of High Sensitive Hybrid Honeycomb Photonic Crystal Fiber for Sensing C 8 H 8 O 3 /AsCl 3 /C 8 H 10 Analyte
Authors: Thangavelu Shankar , A Rajesh , Perumal Sivasankar , Sra Sai , Mani Chandini 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
A hybrid structured honey-comb photonic crystal fiber sensor is designed to detect the sensitivity of methyl salicylate (C8H8O3), arsenic trichloride (AsCl3), and ethylbenzene (C8H10) analytes. The cladding portion of the proposed structure consists of both circular and hexagonal holes in the form of a hexagon with a honeycomb arrangement. Moreover, the structure has a circular core with the chosen analyte. The design is investigated in the scope of wavelength ranging from 0.4 µm to 1.75 µm. The hybrid photonic crystal fiber sensor displays a sensitivity of 85.05%, 87.89%, 82.73% for methyl salicylate, arsenic trichloride, and ethylbenzene, respectively at 1.550 µm.
In Vitro Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Dry Algae Powders
Authors: Ruiz Daniel Garcia , Villalobos-Sánchez Erendira , Alam-Escamilla David , Elizondo-Quiroga Darwin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Chlorella spp., Spirulina spp., and fucoidan dry powders, are commercialized as food supplements and are considered safe for human consumption. Their broad-spectrum antiviral properties have been studied, however, their effect against SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown. We investigated the potential antiviral activity of three algae powders: Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina máxima and fucoidan purified from marine brown algae Sargassum spp. against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Vero cells were incubated with 70 μg/ml of each algae powder and either 50 or 100 TCID50/ml of SARS-CoV-2. Chlorella powder inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection; viral RNA was signifcantly reduced in supernatants at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs post-infection, the highest difference in viral load (8000-fold) was observed after 96 hrs. Spirulina maxima powder partially inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection since no cytopathic effect was observed in 87.5% of infected cultures and viral RNA decreased 48 hrs after infection, reaching a 250-fold difference at 72hrs. In conclusion, our preliminary in vitro assays suggest that C. vulgaris and S. máxima dry algae, may potentially be used to fight COVID-19.
Early bedside wound irrigation can prevent surgical site infection following open posterior lumbar surgery, a preliminary two-center study
Authors: Hu Dong , Song Fei , Gu Suxi , Liu Huawei , Yang Dong , Xiao Songhua 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background.
Delayed diagnosis of surgical site infection (SSI) in lumbar surgery may eventually result in surgical failure. In this prospective two-centers study, we introduced a method to identify and control likely SSI following OPLS at early stages.
Methods.
Patients with likely SSI according to our criteria were enrolled. A bedside irrigation treatment with no need for anesthesia would then be placed. Clinical information including the pre-operative characteristics and post-operative outcomes were collected and fully analyzed. All patients were followed up for 1 year after their hospital discharge.
Results.
Among 672 patients who received OPLS, there are 72 patients (10.7%) diagnosed with likely SSI. Lumbar spinal stenosis (41 cases, 56.9%) accounts for the most common primary diagnosis. Only 14 of the 72 patients (19.4%) have a positive microbiological tests result. During the bedside irrigation, the level of inflammatory biomarkers demonstrated a rapid decrease. The irrigation lasted for an average time of 5.4 ± 1.2 days. The average time for antibiotics administration is 13.8 ± 4.3 days. The average length of hospital stay is 27.1 ± 5.6 days. The fusion rates at 6-months and 12-moths are 84.7% and 97.2% respectively. None patient had even a minimal disability at 1-year follow up according to the Oswestry Disability Index.
Conclusions.
Early identification and control of likely SSI following OPLS is valuable in clinical practice and the bedside irrigation system seems to be a safe and effective choice. Future large sample sized control studies are awaited to provide stronger evidence for its efficacy.
A Novel Approach to Identify the Drivers of Drought under Future Climate Change Scenario
Authors: Padhiary Jagadish , Patra Kanhu Charan , Dash Sonam Sandeep 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Climate change is one of the primary drivers that alters the natural balance of hydrologic cycle and leads to onset of hydrologic extreme situations. Among those extremes, drought is the most devasting and complex catchment hazard caused because of climate change. In this context, it is quite essential to study the implications of climatic and catchment alterations on different types of drought processes. The present study analyzed the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), hydrological drought by Streamflow Drought Index (SRI), and Agricultural Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (aSPEI) across multiple time scales of the future climate change scenarios. Further, this study attempted a correlation-based approach to identify the suitable drought index to characterize the agricultural drought and critical drought index estimates over the study region. The aSPEI is proved to be an improvement over the conventional SPEI for analyzing the agricultural drought characteristics. The 6-month time scale is found to be the most suitable reference period for drought monitoring with highest correlation estimate of 0.688 across all the three study regions. Individually, catchment and climate variables failed to represent the drought dynamics over the catchment, whereas the combined model adequately represented the drought dynamics over the study region. The relative impact of different process components revealed that the precipitation in the climate model and baseflow index in catchment model have significant impact on short-term drought prediction, while in the combined model, the baseflow index alone is sufficient. The methodology suggested herein could be adopted in any global catchment to represent the drought process, and subsequently, identifies the drivers of drought with utmost accuracy.
Functional Relationship of Interferon Regulator Factor-5, Interferon-γ, and Hypoxia-Induced Factor-1α with COVID-19 During Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Herkiloglu Dilsad , gökçe şefik , Erdogan Omer , Gumus Erkan , Cevik Ozge , Ahmad Sarfraz 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objective: Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interferon regulator factor-5 (IRF5), and hypoxia-induced factor-1 Alpha (HIF-1α) are amongst the key immune molecules that function in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we aimed to investigate the levels of IFN-γ, IRF5, and HIF-1α in cases who had COVID-19 during their pregnancy.Methods: Thirty-three unvaccinated pregnant women with COVID-19, and 129 unvaccinated healthy pregnant women (control) were included in the study. IRF5, IFN-γ, and HIF-1α levels were investigated in blood samples taken from pregnants and newborns, and in tissue samples of placenta.Results: Mean IRF5 and IFN-γ levels in pregnant women with COVID-19 were significantly lower, whereas mean HIF-1α levels were significantly higher than the controls (p<0.001, for each). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of maternal samples for determination of post-COVID-19 infection; the cutoff value of 2.015 ng/mg protein for IRF5 level had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 82.5% [area under the ROC curve (AUC): 0.161; p<0.001; lower bound (LB): 0.08; upper bound (UB): 0.241; confidence interval (CI) 95%)], and the cutoff value of 225.63 pg/mg protein for IFN-γ level had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 85.7% (AUC: 0.147; p<0.001; LB:0.08; UB: 0.241; CI 95%).Conclusion: Our findings show that COVID-19 has a significant effect on IRF5, IFN-γ and HIF-1α levels in pregnant women, and thus these levels can be used as a reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in pregnant women. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is first attempt to evaluate the funational implications of these immunoregulatory biomarkers in pregnant women with COVID-19.
Development of a Sustainable Maintenance Strategy for Forest Road Wearing Course in Different Climate Zones
Authors: Motlagh Aiub Rezaee , Parsakhoo Aidin , Najafi Akbar , Mohammadi Jahangir 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In the recent decade, forest roads with a gravel surface course constructed in the different climates of Hyrcanian zone have worn out due to maintenance problems. This study was done to investigate the effect of traffic, maintenance budget, and climate on deterioration of forest roads and determine the best time and type of maintenance activities in the Mediterranean, sub-humid and semi arid climates. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to monitoring Unpaved Road Condition Index (UPCI), immediately after maintenance activities and each season for one year. Moreover, deterioration time of the wearing course was predicted using Monte Carlo time series analysis in MATLAB. Results showed that sub-humid climate presented lower UPCI (7.19) compared to the two other climates. UPCI values for Mediterranean and semi-arid climates were 7.81 and 8.82, respectively. In most cases, where roads were maintained by high-budget strategy, deterioration time was longer than other strategies, but cost-effectiveness (CE) value of low-budget strategy was more than other strategies in all traffic levels of Mediterranean climate and high-traffic roads in semi-arid climate. Low-budget maintenance activities include one culvert improvement per 6 km, light blading, 30 mm layer gravelling. In semi-arid climate, medium-budget maintenance strategy was more efficient in medium and low-traffic roads. In, sub-humid climates it was detected that CE values severely vary depending on the level of traffic. Medium, high and low budget maintenance strategies were respectively efficient in high, medium and low-traffic roads. High budget maintenance activities include one culvert improvement per 4 km, heavy blading and local compaction, 60 mm layer gravelling. Overall, it was concluded that monitoring UPCI over time and probability analysis using time series is useful for sustainable and long term management of forest roads.
Ellipsometry Study on thickness gradient silicon nitride (SiNx) film by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhong Qin Zhi , Luo Xiang , Zhou Li , Hu Fu Shi , Dai Ping Li , Wang Ya Shu , Yang Peng Shao 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
As passivation layer and anti-reflection layer, silicon nitride (SiNx) thin film has been widely used in photovoltaic devices such as solar cells. The structure of SiNx film with thickness gradient can make full use of different wavelengths of sunlight. In this paper, we have studied this structure for the first time. While introducing a quartz layer by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), we obtained a thin SiNx film in the center and gradually thicker toward the edge. The effects of PECVD process parameters, including deposition time, RF power, dielectric layer thickness, etc. on the thickness gradient of SiNx thin film are systematically studied. The film composition changing in the radial direction is also analyzed by ellipsometry. This study provides an instructive method for controlling the thickness gradient of SiNx films and plays an important role in using this structure to the solar cell application.
Application of decision tree algorithms to predict central lymph node metastasis in well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma based on multimodal ultrasound parameters: a retrospective study
Authors: Wan Fang , He Wen , Zhang Wei , Zhang Hongxia , Zhang Yukang , Guang Yang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in well-differentiated primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients have become controversial. Several attempts have been made to predict central compartment lymph node metastasis (CLNM) based on clinical and conventional ultrasonic parameters. This study seeks to develop a decision tree (DT) model for predicting the risk of CLNM in these patients based on clinical and preoperative multimodal ultrasound (US) characteristics.Methods: A total of 148 PTC nodules confirmed by surgical pathology at Beijing Tiantan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All nodules underwent multimodal US examinations from January 2020 to September 2021 before surgery. Correlation analysis of CLNM with clinical characteristics, multimodal US parameters of PTC lesions based on grayscale US, color Doppler flow imaging, superb microvascular imaging, contrast-enhanced US and shear wave elastography technology was carried out. Finally, the Chi-squared automatic interaction detector with a ten-fold cross test was used to establish DT models based on multimodal US parameters to predict CLNM. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for comparing prediction performance.Results: Univariate analysis indicated that CLNM was positively correlated with Tg level, maximum size, tall than wide, the number of microcalcifications greater than or equal to 5, contact capsule, US reported abnormal cervical lymph nodes, non-centripetal perfusion, delayed clearance, SWV mean and SWV ratio (p<0.05). The multimodal US algorithm based on tall than wide, contact the capsule, US reported abnormal cervical lymph nodes, centripetal enhancement as independent variables showed good discrimination: the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUC were 80.0%, 76.7%, 78.4%, and 0.837 (95% CI: 0.771-0.902). There was a significant difference between multimodal US DT with conventional ultrasound DT (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study implies that the DT model based on preoperative multimodal US characteristics of PTCs has reasonable prediction ability for CLNM, which can be conveniently used for clinical decision-making of individualized treatment in well-differentiated PTC patients.
Panax Notoginseng suppresses diet-induced obesity and endoplasmic reticulum stress in epididymal white adipose tissue in mice
Authors: Tan Yi , Zhang Xutao , Zhou Yan , Miao Lingchao , Xu Baojun , Khan Haroon , Wang Yitao , Yu Hua , Cheang Wai San 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: Investigation on protective effects of Panax Notoginseng against obesity and its related mechanisms is incomplete. Present study aimed to investigate the potential anti-obesity effect of the total saponins (PNS) and ethanolic extract of P. Notoginseng (PNE). Methods: Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice received 45% kcal fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Oral administration of PNS and PNE at 20 mg/kg/day was applied for the last 4 weeks in the obese mice. Lipid profile was determined by ELISA. Histological examination was performed in liver and fat tissues. Protein levels were measured by Western blot. PNS and PNE did not cause weight loss. Results: PNE but not PNS decreased the mass of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, accompanied by a reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy. PNS and PNE improved lipid profile by reducing the concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma or liver samples. PNS and PNE also relieved fatty liver in obese mice. PNS and PNE inhibited expression and phosphorylation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-responsive proteins in hypertrophic adipose tissue. Conclusions: PNS and PNE can regulate ER stress-mediated apoptosis and inflammation to alleviate obesity.