bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of softening and ballasted flocculation as a pretreatment process for seawater desalination through a reverse osmosis membrane
Authors: Suzuki Yoshihiro , Yadai Tomohiro 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Efficient desalination through a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane requires the prior removal of blockade-causing substances from raw seawater. We achieve ultrahigh-speed processing by combining traditional softening with ballasted flocculation (SBF) for Ca2+ and Mg2+ removal. A mixture of Ca(OH)2 and Na2CO3 alkaline agents was most suitable for removing t Ca2+ and Mg2+ by softening and reducing the amount of generated sludge. In addition, the softening treatment simultaneously removed the suspended solids and bacteria from actual seawater. The settling velocity of the suspended solids generated via seawater softening was extremely low. In case of SBF under optimum conditions for desalinating actual seawater using an anionic polymer flocculant and microsand, the settling velocity exceeded 3.5 cm/s, 833 times higher than the settling velocity of softening without ballasted flocculation. The silt density index of the treated seawater met the water-supply standard of RO membranes (i.e., < 3.0). Furthermore, the dewatering property of the SBF-generated sludge was considerably improved compared with that of the sludge obtained via conventional softening. SBF can efficiently and quickly remove the causative substances of RO membrane fouling from seawater, thereby improving the treatability of generated sludge. SBF provides a new pretreatment process for seawater desalination using RO membranes.
Sex-specific Dose-response Associations between Night Sleep Duration and Hypertension in Iran: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Asgari Samaneh , Najafi Arezu , Sadeghniiat-Haghighi Khosro , Najafi Farid , Safari-Faramani Roya , Behkar Atefeh , Akbarpour Samaneh 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
High blood pressure is a serious public health concern that significantly increases the risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Several studies suggested that sleep disorders have adverse effects on health. The current study aimed to evaluate the dose-response relationship between sleep duration and blood pressure in the Iranian large general population. A total of 9865 participants aged 35-65 were included. Night sleep duration was classified as ≤5 hours, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- and ≥10-hour sleep duration. The relation between self-reported sleep duration and prevalent hypertension was examined using Logistic regression. Moreover, restricted cubic spline analysis showed the dose-response association between sleep duration and hypertension.The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 16.5%, 24.2%, and 20.5% in men, women, and the total population, respectively. Compared with reference sleep duration (7 hours) in the total population, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) for hypertension was 0.7 (95% CI: 0.55-0.88) for the group with 9-hour sleep duration and 0.9 (95% CI: 0.74-1.09) for the group with ≤5-hour sleep duration. However, there was no significant association between sleep duration and the prevalence of hypertension in the multivariable model. The age-adjusted cubic spline suggested a linear inverse association between sleep duration and prevalence of hypertension among men and the total population and a non-linear association among women. In conclusion, a 9-hour sleep duration has a negative association with prevalent hypertension. Moreover, an inverse linear association was found between night sleep duration and prevalent hypertension in the total population.
Data Driven Pathway Analysis and Forecast of Global Warming and Sea Level Rise
Authors: Song Jiecheng , Tong Guanchao , Chao Jiayou , Chung Jean , Zhang Minghua , Lin Wuyin , Zhang Tao , Bentler Peter , Zhu Wei 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Climate change remains a top concern for the world, with its causes, pathways, and forecasts, still subject to debate. In this paper, we present a novel data driven pathway analysis framework to identify the key processes behind the mean global temperature and sea level rise, and to forecast the magnitude of the increases between now and 2100. Based on historical data and dynamic statistical modeling alone, we have confirmed the causal pathways from increased greenhouse gas emissions to increased global mean temperature and sea level, with its intermediate links including humidity, sea ice coverage and glacier volume, but not sunspot numbers. Our results indicate that, if no action is taken to rein in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, the global average temperature is estimated to be 2.79°C higher than its pre-industrial level and the global sea level is expected to be 604 mm above its 2021 mean by 2100. However, if the global community would adhere to the greenhouse gas emission regulations outlined in the 2021 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), the global temperature would increase to a less threatening 1.58°C above its pre-industrial level, while the sea level increase would reduce to 455 mm above its 2021 mean.
Thermodynamic performance judgment of organic Rankine cycle based on Gibbs free energy change
Authors: Bu Shujuan , Yang Xinle , Li Weikang , Wang Xin , Liu Xunan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Since Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) can judge the maximum ability of the system to do other useful work besides expansion work, ∆G was introduced into the general thermodynamic model of the ORC, the relationships between work, heat, exergy and ∆G were derived to judge the thermodynamic performance of ORC. And the ORC using pure fluid of R245fa and zeotropic mixture of R245fa/R227ea were selected as the study cases, analyzed the influence of different evaporation pressures, condensation pressures, heat source outlet temperatures and mass fractions of R245fa on the ∆G of the four thermodynamic processes to judge the ORC thermodynamic performances, the judgment results were compared with the calculation results. The results indicate that the change trends of net output power, thermal and exergy efficiencies judged by the ΔG are consistent with calculation results. The ability of ORC to do work increases with increase of Gibbs free energy change of heat absorption process (∆Ge), but the evaporator exergy destruction is affected by ∆Ge and working fluid entropy increase, its change depends on the specific working conditions; Output power is improved with increase of Gibbs free energy change of expansion process (∆Gt), but it will increase the turbine exergy destruction.
Neuroprotective effect of dexmedetomidine on autophagy in mice administered intracerebroventricular injections of Aβ25-35
Authors: Lee Youn Young , Han Jong In , Cho Sooyoung , Suh Eun Cheng , Lee Kyung Eun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Current evidence suggests that dexmedetomidine (Dex) can be used as an adjuvant to general anesthesia for the elderly with or without neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), since it has perioperative analgesic properties and can prevent postoperative delirium. Dysfunction involving the autophagy-lysosomal pathway is thought to underlie the pathological mechanism of AD. Evidence regarding the effects of Dex on neuronal autophagy dysfunction in mice with AD is lacking. Therefore, we hypothesized that administration of Dex could exert neuroprotective effects by ameliorating pathological autophagy dysfunction in mice that received an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of amyloid β-protein fragment 25–35 (Aβ25−35) and in an autophagy-deficient cellular model. Low dose Dex treatment reversed decreases in percentage of alternation in the Y-maze test. It restored levels of phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMKII) and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95), both memory-related proteins. Dex also protected synapses from Aβ-induced toxicity in mice injected with Aβ25−35. Furthermore, increased expression of the autophagy-related microtubule-associated protein light chain3- II (LC3-II), p62, and lysosome-associated membrane protein2 (LAMP2) in Aβ25−35 mice was reduced after low-dose Dex treatment, ameliorating aberrant autophagic reflux. The present study demonstrated that low-dose Dex treatment ameliorated memory and learning impairments. It’s neuroprotective mechanism was associated with autophagic flux in a murine Aβ25−35 model. These findings suggest that Dex could represent an effective clinical approach for AD patients as a neuroprotective adjuvant in anesthesia.
Peptidomics Approaches for Authentication of Pork and Water Buffalo Meat Employing Rapid In-solution Fractionation and 2-DE
Authors: Banerjee Rituparna , Maheswarappa Naveena B. , Biswas Subhasish , Dasoju Sowmya , Mohan Kiran , Ramanathan Ranjith 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
A rapid and highly reproducible gel-eluted liquid fraction entrapment electrophoresis (GELFrEE) coupled with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is explored for the first time for authenticating adulteration of pork with water buffalo meat. The GELFrEE offers novel in-solution protein fractionation with a dynamic range from 3.5–500 kDa and the specificity sufficient to be implemented effectively for the identification of species-specific peptides derived from myoglobin (‘HPGDFGADAQGAMSK’, ‘HPSDFGADAQAAMSK’) and carbonic anhydrase-3 (‘GGPLTAAYR’, ‘GGPLAAPYR’) demonstrating their potential as heat-stable markers for meat authentication including commercial samples. The suitability of 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with MALDI-TOF MS for efficiently detecting myosin light chain isoforms from contaminating pork in buffalo meat is also demonstrated. The GELFrEE and gel-based 2-DE approaches efficiently authenticate raw and heat-processed meat and meat mixes up to 0.5% (w/w) level; however, quick extraction protocol and rapid fractionation by GELFrEE offer better solutions for routine MS-based approaches to address global meat fraud issues.
Emotion dysregulation as cross-disorder trait in child psychiatry predicting quality of life and required treatment duration
Authors: Bierens Margreet , Hartman Catharina A. , Klip Helen , Deckers Stijn , Buitelaar Jan , Rommelse Nanda 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Emotion dysregulation (ED) is increasingly under investigation as a cross-disorder trait, and is by some considered as the core feature in mental disorders. The underlying assumptions are that ED is a trait that manifests similarly across disorders and with similar impact. The aims of this study are to examine the shared and specific features of ED in relation to DSM-categories in a large sample of clinically referred youth.
Methods
Information on clinical diagnosis (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder, Anxiety and Mood Disorders), ED (measured by the CBCL-Emotion Dysregulation Index), Quality of Life (Qol, measured by the Kidscreen-27), and treatment duration (measured by Electronic Health Records) was retrieved from two large samples of toddlers (1.5-5 year old; N = 1,544) and school aged children (6–18 year old; N = 7,259). Frequency scores and logistic regression were used to study symptom profiles of ED, as measured with CBCL-EDI, across all disorders. Linear regression was used to determine the predictive value of ED (CBCL-EDI total score) regarding QoL and treatment duration in addition to - and in interaction with - clinical diagnosis.
Results
Across disorders, equal levels of total ED were found, which predicted lower QoL and a longer treatment duration in addition to clinical diagnosis. The majority of items (11/15 and 16/18) were of equal relevance to the disorders; items that were not, largely reflected disorder specific DSM definitions (i.e. externalizing symptoms in ODD/CD and internalizing symptoms in Anxiety and Mood disorders).
Conclusions
ED is a clinically useful cross-disorder trait to predict severity of impairment as well as required treatment duration. In addition, ED is largely composed of shared features across disorders, with certain disorder specific coloured elements.
Use of the speckle imaging sub-pixel correlation analysis in revealing a mechanism of microbial colony growth
Authors: Balmages Ilya , Liepins Janis , Auzins Ernests Tomass , Bliznuks Dmitrijs , Baranovics Edgars , Lihacova Ilze , Lihachev Alexey 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The microbial colony growth is driven by the activity of the cells located on the edges of the colony. However, this process is not visible unless specific staining or cross-sectioning of the colony is done. Speckle imaging technology is a non-invasive method that allows visualization of the zones of increased microbial activity within the colony. In this study, the laser speckle imaging technique was used to record the growth of the microbial colony. This method was tested on three different microorganisms: Vibrio natriegens, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the speckle analysis system is not only able to record the growth of the microbial colony but also to visualize the microbial growth activity in different parts of the colony. The developed speckle imaging technique visualizes the zone of “the highest microbial activity” migrating from the center to the periphery of the colony. The results confirm the accuracy of the previous models of colony growth and provide algorithms for analysis of microbial activity within the colony.
Analysis of a stochastic HIV model with cell-to-cell transmission and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process
Authors: Liu Qun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In this paper, we establish and analyze a stochastic HIV model with both virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell transmissions and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, in which we suppose that the virus-to-cell infection rate and the cell-to-cell infection rate satisfy the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Firstly, we validate that there exists a unique global solution to the stochastic model with any initial value. Then we adopt a stochastic Lyapunov function technique to develop sufficient criteria for the existence of a stationary distribution of positive solutions to the stochastic system, which reflects the strong persistence of all CD4+ T cells and free viruses. In particular, under the same conditions as the existence of a stationary distribution, we obtain the specific form of the probability density around the quasi-chronic infection equilibrium of the stochastic system. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to validate these analytical results. Our results suggest that the methods used in this paper can be applied to study other viral infection models in which the infected CD4+ T cells are divided into latently infected and actively infected subgroups.
Unconventional route to control the chemical doping of molecular
semiconductors through proton-coupled electron transfer in aqueous solutions
Authors: Yamashita Yu , Ishii Masaki , Watanabe Shun , Ariga Katsuhiko , Takeya Jun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The chemical doping of molecular semiconductors is based on electron transfer reactions between the semiconductor and dopant molecules; here, the molecular orbital energy of the dopant is key to control the Fermi level of the semiconductor. The tunability and reproducibility of chemical doping are limited by the availability of suitable dopant materials and effects of impurities such as water. In this study, we focused on proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions, which are widely employed in biochemical processes; changes in the free energy in these redox reactions depend on not only the molecular orbital energy but also an easily handled parameter, that is, proton activity. We immersed p-type organic semiconductor (OSC) thin films in aqueous pH-controlled doping solutions under ambient conditions. In accordance with the Nernst equation, the Fermi levels of the semiconductors were controlled with a high degree of precision, ca. thermal energy of 25 meV at RT, over a few hundred meV around the band edge. The OSC thin films showed repetitive and reproducible resistance changes as a function of the pH of the doping solution, which could lead to the development of a reference-electrode-free, resistive pH sensor. Knowledge of the connection between semiconductor doping and proton activity, a widely employed parameter in chemical and biochemical processes, may help create a new platform for developing ambient semiconductor processes and biomolecular electronics.
Special clinicopathological features of anaplastic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhao Min , Wang Lixing , He Juan , Wang Xingyu , Huang Ying , Yu Kuai , Li Dan , Xian Jie 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Anaplastic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (A- DLBCL) is a mysterious and rare disease, its histopathological features have not been fully clarified toaday. This paper provides a case in the left axillary lymph node, there are a large number of pleomorphic centroblast-like cells with anaplastic characteristics and HRS-like cells in a nodular or follicular germinating center-like growth, which is consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, non-special type, anaplastic subtype. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that these tumor cells were positive for CD20, CD79ɑ, Pax5, LMO2, BCL6, IgD. Besides, CD21 showed FDC network and p53 was diffusely and strongly positive. Ki67 proliferation index was 80 ~ 90%. Tumor cells were no association with EB virus (EBV). Our case presents different morphological diversity from previously reported cases of A-DLBCL, which shows different clinicopathological features with common diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Furthermore, we also review the most of article about ALCL and summarize the progress of its pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis in recent years.
Proposal for a novel parameter for predicting the concentration of unbound valproic acid
Authors: Ishikawa Masayuki , Uchida Masashi , Asakawa Takahiro , Suzuki Shota , Yamazaki Shingo , Shiko Yuki , Kawasaki Yohei , Suzuki Takaaki , Ishii Itsuko 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore appropriate parameters for predicting the free fraction of valproic acid (VPA) and the unbound VPA concentration in patients.
Methods
Datasets from patients treated with VPA were retrospectively evaluated. We analyzed the associations between various parameters and the free fraction of VPA. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was analyzed by testing for no correlation.
Results
A total of 136 datasets from 75 patients were analyzed in this study. The free fraction of VPA was 0.18 ± 0.07 (range, 0.07–0.46). The parameter that combines total VPA concentration (CtVPA) and serum albumin (SA), (CtVPA [µM] – 2 × SA [µM]), significantly related to the free fraction of VPA (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). This combined parameter-based prediction formula for unbound VPA concentration was constructed. Analysis using previously reported external datasets from patients without severe renal failure showed that the combined parameter also significantly related to the free fraction of VPA (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prediction errors of the unbound VPA concentration by the combined parameter-based prediction formula were lower than those of previously reported prediction formulae.
Conclusions
This study indicates that (CtVPA [µM] – 2 × SA [µM]) significantly relates to the free fraction of VPA in patients. This combined parameter may make it possible to predict more accurately the free fraction of VPA and the unbound VPA concentration in patients without severe renal failure than the previously reported formulae.
Effect of an increase in Lp(a) following statin therapy on cardiovascular prognosis in secondary prevention population of coronary artery disease
Authors: Zhu Lijun , Fang Yangliang , Gao Beibei , Jin Xiangbo , Zheng Jiamin , Yin he , Huang Jin-yu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
It is frequently observed in clinical trials that statins lead to an increase in Lp(a), and recent studies have indicated that statins tend to increase Lp(a) levels by 10–20%. Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association of statin-mediated increases in Lp(a) levels with CAD has not been determined.
Methods
This study included 488 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Lp(a) levels were measured at baseline and 1 month after statin therapy. The study endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Hazard ratios for the MACE were adjusted for potential confounder using Cox regression.
Results
After statin therapy, the mean level of Lp(a) increased by 19.3% from baseline. Lp(a) levels increased in 307 patients (62.9%) with a median elevation of 4.1 mg/dL. Individuals with an increase in Lp(a) were at higher risk for MACE than those without an increase in Lp(a) (p = 0.044). Subgroup analyses revealed that a mild-to-moderate increase in Lp(a) was not associated with MACE, whereas there was a strong correlation between the highest quartile increase in Lp(a) (≥ 10.1mg/dL) and MACE (HR = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.36–3.84, p = 0.002). This correlation was independent of baseline Lp(a) levels but not independent of on-statin Lp(a) levels.
Conclusions
Substantial increases in Lp(a) following statin therapy raise the risk of MACE, but a mild-to-moderate increase in Lp(a) hardly affects the cardiovascular prognosis of CAD patients. Even if the baseline Lp(a) levels are low, it is necessary to continue testing for Lp(a) concentration at least once after statin.
The 27-gene IO score is associated with efficacy of PD-1/L1 inhibitors independent of FGFR expression in a real-world metastatic urothelial carcinoma cohort
Authors: Nielsen Tyler J. , Varga Matthew G. , Cronister Catherine T. , Ring Brian Z. , Seitz Robert S. , Ross Douglas T. , Schweitzer Brock L. , McGregor Kimberly 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Multiple targeted therapeutics have been approved by the FDA for mUC, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and more recently targeted agents for both FGFR and Nectin-4. FGFR3-aberrant and Nectin-4 expressing cells have been associated with an immunosuppressed phenotype. Given that less than half of all patients respond to these agents as monotherapies, and less than 20% are eligible to receive salvage therapy, effective personalized treatment plans are critical. Typical biomarkers for ICIs such as PD-L1 and TMB have not been definitive in mUC, yet a biomarker-driven optimization of first-line therapy and subsequent sequencing have the potential to achieve higher and more durable response rates. The IO score is a 27-gene tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) classifier that has been associated with the clinical benefits of ICIs in multiple cancer types, including mUC. This study demonstrates that the IO score was associated with both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a real-world cohort of mUC patients treated with ICIs. Furthermore, the IO score was independent of and provided information incremental to TMB. Interestingly, the IO score predicted benefit in patients with high FGFR expression, despite conflicting data regarding response rates among the FGFR aberrant population. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the IO score assessment of the TIME is associated with a clinical benefit from ICI therapy and that this novel biomarker may inform therapeutic sequencing decisions in mUC, potentially improving outcomes for this notoriously difficult-to-treat disease.