bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural selenium stress influences the changes of antibiotic resistome in seleniferous forest soils
Authors: Wang Fang-Fang , Liu Guo-Ping , Zhang Fan , Li Zong-Ming , Yang Xiao-Lin , Yang Chao-Dong , Shen Jian-Lin , He Ji-Zheng , Li B. Larry , Zeng Jian-Guo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundMetal(loid)s can promote the spread and enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment through a co-selection effect. However, it remains unclear whether exposure of microorganisms to varying concentrations of selenium (Se), an essential but potentially deleterious metal(loid) to living organisms, can influence the migration and distribution of ARGs in forest soils.ResultsPrecisely 235 ARGs conferring resistance to seven classes of antibiotics were detected along a Se gradient (0.06–20.65 mg kg−1) across 24 forest soils. (flor)/(chlor)/(am)phenicol resistance genes were the most abundant in all samples. The total abundance of ARGs first increased and then decreased with an elevated available Se content threshold of 0.034 mg kg−1(P = 2E−05). A structural equation model revealed that the dominant mechanism through which Se indirectly influences the vertical migration of ARGs is by regulating the abundance of the bacterial community. In addition, the methylation of Se (mediated bytehB) and the repairing of DNA damages (mediated byruvBandrecG) were the dominant mechanisms involved in Se resistance in the forest soils. The co-occurrence network analysis revealed a significant correlated cluster between Se-resistance genes, MGEs and ARGs, suggesting the co-transfer potential.Lelliottia amnigenaYTB01 isolated from the soil was able to tolerate 50 μg mL−1ampicillin and 1000 mg kg−1sodium selenite, and harbored both Se resistant genes and ARGs in the genome.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that the spread and enrichment of ARGs are enhanced under moderate Se pressure but inhibited under severe Se pressure in the forest soil (threshold at 0.034 mg kg−1available Se content). The data generated in this pilot study points to the potential health risk associated with Se contamination and its associated influence on ARGs distribution in soil.
ARMA–GARCH model with fractional generalized hyperbolic innovations
Authors: Kim Sung Ik 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this study, a multivariate ARMA–GARCH model with fractional generalized hyperbolic innovations exhibiting fat-tail, volatility clustering, and long-range dependence properties is introduced. To define the fractional generalized hyperbolic process, the non-fractional variant is derived by subordinating time-changed Brownian motion to the generalized inverse Gaussian process, and thereafter, the fractional generalized hyperbolic process is obtained using the Volterra kernel. Based on the ARMA–GARCH model with standard normal innovations, the parameters are estimated for the high-frequency returns of six U.S. stocks. Subsequently, the residuals extracted from the estimated ARMA–GARCH parameters are fitted to the fractional and non-fractional generalized hyperbolic processes. The results show that the fractional generalized hyperbolic process performs better in describing the behavior of the residual process of high-frequency returns than the non-fractional processes considered in this study.
Impact of COVID-19 effective reproductive rate on cryptocurrency
Authors: Minutolo Marcel C. , Kristjanpoller Werner , Dheeriya Prakash 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe importance of cryptocurrency to the global economy is increasing steadily, which is evidenced by a total market capitalization of over $2.18T as of December 17, 2021, according to coinmarketcap.com (Coin, 2021). Cryptocurrencies are too confusing for laymen and require more investigation. In this study, we analyze the impact that the effective reproductive rate, an epidemiological indicator of the spread of COVID-19, has on both the price and trading volume of eight of the largest digital currencies—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, and Binance. We hypothesize that as the rate of spread decreases, the trading price of the digital currency increases. Using Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity models, we find that the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the price and trading volume of cryptocurrencies varies by currency and region. These findings offer novel insight into the cryptocurrency market and the impact that the viral spread of COVID-19 has on the value of the major cryptocurrencies.
Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and hypertension risk after adjusting for publication bias
Authors: Bae Jong-Myon 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Previous systematic reviews reported that serum vitamin D deficiency was associated with risk of hypertension. The aim was to conduct a meta-epidemiological analysis for evaluating the potential effects of publication bias.

Methods
The selection criterion was defined as a follow-up study for evaluating the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitam D level and hypertension risk in adults. A funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to detect a publication bias. If a publication bias was identified, trim-and-fill analysis (TFA) with linear estimator was performed to estimate a summary relative risk (sRR).

Results
The meta-analysis of 13 cohorts resulted in the lower the vitamin D, the higher the risk of hypertension statistically significant (sRR, 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.41). But The P-value of Egger’s test (=0.015) and asymmetry of the funnel plot showed that there was a publication bias. TFA resulted in that statistical significance disappeared in the association between vitamin D level and hypertension risk in total cohorts (filled sRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.18) as well as men and women cohorts.

Conclusions
The publication bias-adjusted results by TFA had no statistically significant association between vitamin D levels and the risk of hypertension. The significant results in previous systematic reviews might be interpreted as due to publication bias.
Risks and management of hypertension in cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy: a review
Authors: Zhu Xiaolei , Wu Shenhong 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Rapid progress over the last decade has added numerous agents targeting specific cellular signaling pathways to the treatment armamentarium for advanced cancer. However, many of these agents can cause hypertension resulting in major adverse cardiovascular event.

Methods and results
A systematic literature search was performed on the databases PubMed and Google Scholar for papers published in English until December 2020. This review summarizes the risk, mechanism, diagnosis, and management of hypertension in cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy. The risk and pathogenesis of hypertension vary widely with different classes of targeted agents. Currently there is a paucity of data investigating optimal management of hypertension with targeted therapy. A practical approach is discussed with a focus on the goal of blood pressure control as well as drug selection based on the mechanism of hypertension in the context of advanced cancer, treatment toxicity, comorbidity, and drug-drug interactions. This review also discusses many studies that have explored hypertension as a biomarker for cancer treatment efficacy and as a pharmacodynamic biomarker to titrate drug dose.

Conclusions
The diversity of targeted agents has provided important insights into the pathogenesis of hypertension in cancer patients. The underlying mechanism may provide a guidance to the management of hypertension. Further studies are needed to investigate optimal treatment and hypertension as a biomarker for cancer treatment.
Developing an interactive PBL environment via persuasive gamify elements: a scoping review
Authors: Abdul Ghani Azril Shahreez , Abdul Rahim Ahmad Fuad , Yusoff Muhamad Saiful Bahri , Hadie Siti Nurma Hanim 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe application of gamified elements to PBL to promote student engagement has not been systematically described. Hence, we conducted a review based on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review framework, involving research question identification, relevant study identification, study selection, data charting, and result collating and reporting. We searched three databases using five search terms combined with a Boolean operator: “problem-based learning” AND “persuasive OR gamify OR gamification OR game”. The initial pool of 5532 sources was evaluated according to the eligibility criteria, and 14 original articles were selected for the final data extraction. A content analysis was performed, and several persuasive gamification elements for PBL were identified. The results were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. The analysis unearthed six main categories of persuasive gamification elements, which have been proven to be effective in the achievement of learning outcomes: high-fidelity simulation, inquisitive exploration, collaborative learning, interactive instruction, guidance and feedback, and rewards. These findings highlight the persuasive gamify elements that can be incorporated to support the active learning and engagement of students in PBL, thus preparing them to be lifelong, self-directed learners.
Change blindness in simulated driving in individuals with homonymous visual field loss
Authors: Swan Garrett , Xu Jing , Baliutaviciute Vilte , Bowers Alex 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIndividuals with homonymous visual field loss (HVFL) fail to perceive visual information that falls within the blind portions of their visual field. This places additional burden on memory to represent information in their blind visual field, which may make visual changes in the scene more difficult to detect. Failing to detect changes could have serious implications in the context of driving. A change blindness driving simulator experiment was conducted with individuals with HVFL (n = 17) and in those with normal vision (NV; n = 16) where changes (pedestrians appearing) were triggered based on the driver’s gaze location. Gaze was used to ensure that the location of the change was visible before and after the change occurred. There were wide individual differences in both vision groups, ranging from no change blindness to more than 33% of events. Those with HVFL had more change blindness than those with NV (16.7% vs. 6.3%, p < 0.001) and more change blindness to pedestrians appearing in their blind than seeing hemifield (34.6% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001). Further, there was more change blindness for events appearing in the seeing hemifield for those with HVFL than normal vision (p = 0.023). These results suggest that individuals with HVFL may be more susceptible to failures of awareness, such as change blindness, than individuals with normal vision. Increased risk for failures of awareness may result in motor vehicle crashes where the driver fails to notice the other road user (looked-but-failed-to-see incidents).
The influence of familiarity on memory for faces and mask wearing
Authors: Kollenda Diana , de Haas Benjamin 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the wearing of face masks became mandatory in public areas or at workplaces in many countries. While offering protection, the coverage of large parts of our face (nose, mouth and chin) may have consequences for face recognition. This seems especially important in the context of contact tracing which can require memory of familiar and unfamiliar contacts and whether they were wearing a mask. In this study, we tested how well participants perform at remembering faces and whether they wore a mask, and if this depends on familiarity. Our results show that: (a) Participants remembered familiar faces better than unfamiliar ones, regardless of mask wearing. (b) Participants remembered unmasked faces better than masked faces, regardless of familiarity. (c) Participants were significantly worse at remembering whether an unfamiliar face was wearing a mask or not—even if they indicated remembering the face. (d) Participants showed a bias to indicate no memory of unfamiliar faces. (e) Participants showed a bias to indicate that unfamiliar faces wore a mask, even if they did not. In sum, it was harder to remember both, the identity of unfamiliar faces and whether they wore a mask. These findings have practical relevance for contact tracing and epidemic control.
Development and validation of students’ digital competence scale (SDiCoS)
Authors: Tzafilkou Katerina , Perifanou Maria , Economides A. A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTowards the transition to blended and remote education, evaluating the levels of students’ digital competence and designing educational programs to advance them is of paramount importance. Existing validated digital competence scales usually ignore either important digital skills needed or new socio-technological innovations. This study proposes and validates a comprehensive digital competence scale for students in higher education. The suggested instrument includes skills of online learning and collaboration, social media, smart and mobile devices, safety, and data protection. The scale was evaluated on a sample of 156 undergraduate and postgraduate students just before and at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. The final scale is composed of 28 items and six digital competence components. The evaluation study revealed valid results in terms of model fit criteria, factor loadings, internal validity, and reliability. Individual factors like the students’ field of study, computer experience and age revealed significant associations to the scale components, while gender revealed no significant differences. The suggested scale can be useful to the design of new actions and policies towards remote education and the digital skills’ development of adult learners.
Is there a difference between GBS triggered by COVID-19 and those of other origins?
Authors: Radišić Vanja , Ždraljević Mirjana , Perić Stojan , Mladenović Branka , Ralić Branislav , Jovanović Dejana R. , Berisavac Ivana 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an increasing number of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) cases following the infection has been reported. The aim of our study was to detect patients with GBS treated in our hospital over a 1-year period and to compare the characteristics and outcomes of those triggered by COVID-19 with the rest of GBS patients. Our prospective study included 29 patients who were diagnosed with GBS from March 2020 to March 2021. Based on the preceding event, patients were stratified as post-COVID-19 and non-COVID-19. The GBS disability scale (GDS) was used to assess functional disability.

Results
We identified 10 (34.5%) patients with post-COVID-19 GBS and 19 (65.5%) patients with non-COVID-19 GBS. The median time from the preceding event to the symptoms onset was longer in post-COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 GBS patients (p = 0.04). However, the time from the symptom onset to the nadir did not differ (p = 0.12). GDS at admission, as well as at nadir, did not differ between these two groups. The level of proteinorrachia was higher in post-COVID-19 GBS patients (p = 0.035). The most frequent subtype of GBS in both groups was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). GDS score at discharge (p = 0.56) did not differ between two study groups.

Conclusions
There was no difference in clinical and electrophysiological features, disease course, and outcome in post-COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 GBS patients.
General anesthesia versus ultrasound-guided axillary block for ambulatory hand surgery: randomized prospective study
Authors: Badiea Mennat Allah Mohamed Abdel , Moustafa Zakarya Abdel Aziz , El Alem Azza Atef Abd , Mohamed Wael Abdel Moneim , Elbeialy Marwa Ahmed Khairy 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
In upper limb surgery, both axillary brachial plexus block (ABPB) and general anesthesia (GA) have been widely used. ABPB is one of the most popular and widely used procedures for brachial plexus blocks, as well as for achieving upper limb regional anesthesia.
The aim of the study was to compare between both anesthetic techniques for ambulatory hand surgery regarding their effects on postoperative pain as primary outcome and postoperative nausea and vomiting and patient satisfaction and postoperative sleep disturbances as secondary outcomes.

Results
We reviewed data from 40 patients for the primary outcome and found that group A (had general anesthesia) had a statistically significant higher postoperative VAS score than group B (got ultrasound guided axillary block), (P-value 0.05). In terms of secondary outcomes, postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in group A patients (P-value 0.001), and patient satisfaction was significantly higher in group B patients compared to group A patients (P-value 0.001). Furthermore, the Pittsburgh quality index (PSQI) for postoperative sleep disruptions was considerably higher in group A than in group B at 24 h postoperatively and at the first and second weeks postoperatively (P-value 0.001). Statistically, there is no difference between the two groups in the third week and one month after surgery.

Conclusions
When compared to general anesthesia, ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block offered good anesthesia, great analgesia, and a better postoperative sleep result after hand surgery.
Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in patients undergoing pediatric abdominal surgery: a randomized study
Authors: Pınar Parvin , Yeşiltaş Serdar , Türkay Meltem , Karaaslan Kazım , Türköz Ayda 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can provide effective analgesia in pediatric abdominal surgery. Additionally, when used as an analgesic method in abdominal surgery, ESPB may increase regional intra-abdominal tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2) throughout the operation. However, the number of related studies conducted on pediatric patients is insufficient.

Results
Fifty-two patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery were allocated into two groups, the ESPB (E) and the control (C). Group E received general anesthesia plus unilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB, and group C received general anesthesia alone. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption, Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) score, time to first rescue analgesia and adverse events were recorded over the first 24 h postoperatively. The rSO2 level was evaluated in both groups throughout the operation. The FLACC score was significantly lower in group E than in group C (p<0.05). Four patients in group E required intraoperative fentanyl compared to 12 patients in group C (p<0.05). The first rescue analgesic administration time was significantly longer in group E than in group C (p<0.05). No significant difference in rSO2 values was detected between the groups (p>0.05). However, in group E, rSO2 values were significantly increased after the block compared to the postinduction values.

Conclusions
ESPB provides effective perioperative analgesia in children undergoing low abdominal surgery. Although there was no significant difference in rSO2 values between the groups, ESPB administration consistently increases rSO2 over time.

Trial registration
The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov before patient enrolment (NCT03808129-13.12.2018).
Efficient and ecological leather processing: replacement of lime and sulphide with dispase assisted by 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride
Authors: Liu Hui , Tang Keyong , Li Xiumin , Liu Jie , Zheng Xuejing , Pei Ying 
Published: May 2022

AbstractLeather is a collagen-based biomass prepared from raw skins or hides by a series of unit operations, in which the unhairing and fiber opening are extremely important operations. However, the conventional Na2S/Ca(OH)2 system used in unhairing and fiber opening has given rise to the pollution to the environment. It is necessary to develop substitute technology for the Na2S/Ca(OH)2. In the present study, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIm]Cl) was used to cooperate with dispase for cycle unhairing and one-pot beamhouse to recycle waste bovine hides and compared with conventional processing. During those processes, the mechanism of [AMIm]Cl-dispase synergistic unhairing and collagen fibers opening were studied. Besides, plant hazard, organic matter and [AMIm]Cl of wastewater from [AMIm]Cl-dispase process were respectively investigated and separated to evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of the [AMIm]Cl-dispase process. As a result, enzyme activity after unhairing by [AMIm]Cl-diapase system for using 5 times is higher than that by KCl-dispase system, and needs lower unhairing time, which is because of rapid penetration of [AMIm]Cl-dispase solution in bovine hides. For this reason, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of tanned leather from [AMIm]Cl-dispase process are higher than those from the KCl-diapase and conventional processes, and its hydrothermal shrinkage temperature is comparable to that of the conventional one. Because of the 58.13% lower wastewater discharge (WD), 66.60% lower total solids (TS), 97.23% lower ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), non-toxic wastewater and organic matter recovery in wastewater are reached from [AMIm]Cl-dispase process, which is expected to be an alternative to the conventional process to reduce environmental pollution and realize the sustainable development of technology for leather manufacturing.
Graphical abstract
The dynamic characteristics of the center of pressure for toe-out gait: implications for footwear design
Authors: Li Bo , Zhang Xianyi 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Toe-out gait is often used as a conservative technique to reduce knee adduction moment, which has been targeted to modify knee osteoarthritis progression. The center of pressure (COP) can not only be used to evaluate gait stability, but is also more reliable and practical than local plantar pressures as it does not depend on accurate foot zone divisions. However, to the authors’ knowledge, few study has reported the influence of the foot progression angle on the dynamic characteristics of the COP.

Research question
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the deliberately toe-out gait on the COP trajectory and stability during walking in healthy individuals.

Methods
Thirty healthy young adults were asked to walk along an 8-m walkway. A Footscan 1 m pressure plate was used to measure the center of pressure during walking.

Results
Compared to the normal gait, the COP of the toe-out gait shifted laterally during the initial contact phase, and shifted laterally and anteriorly during the forefoot contact phase. The mean anterior–posterior velocity of COP reduced by 0.109 m/s during the foot flat phase and the duration of the foot flat phase and forefoot push off phase increased by 4.5% and reduced by 7.0%, respectively.

Significance
Compared to the normal gait, the findings of this study suggest that biomechanical alteration of foot under our experimental conditions may decrease gait stability and increase forefoot load during toe-out walking. The situation may be improved by well-designed footwear or custom-made insole and the biomechanics analysis method can be used to test the efficacy of therapeutic footwear or insole for individuals with deliberately toe-out walking.

Graphical Abstract