bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Association between prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay and serum nutrients, metabolites and metallic elements profile in adult males (NHANES 2001–2006)
Authors: Wang Shu-chao , Yang Jie , Xu Jie , Zhao Min , Liu Wen-jian , Peng Lei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objectives: Seeing as PSA is a specific indicator to assist in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the prevention of prostate cancer can be explored from the etiological mechanism of PSA elevation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the serological risk markers that lead to PSA elevation or prostate cancer. Methods: Our data came from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2001–2006), and we performed multivariate regressions to examine the association between prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay and serum nutrients, metabolites and metallic elements profile in adult males. Results: A total of 4,022 participants were included in this study, and we confirmed suspected prostate cancer significantly positively correlated with lead and homocysteine. Specifically, blood lead (OR = 1.084; 95%CI: 1.043–1.126) and homocysteine (OR = 1.037; 95%CI: 1.017–1.058) are the significant independent risk factors for the increase of serum PSA. The results of random forest model of suspected prostate cancer group and normal prostate group showed that the predictive potentials of serum lead assay and serum homocysteine assay were 79.2% (75.2–83.2%) and 78.0% (74.0–82.1%), respectively. Conclusions: Elevated blood lead and homocysteine levels may be the key risk factors for serum PSA elevation, that is, they may cause prostate cancer. Therefore, reducing blood lead exposure and concentration of metabolite homocysteine may be effective methods to prevent prostate cancer.
Assessment of major Health Problem and constraints of Crocodile Skin Production at Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch
Authors: Arega Tamirat , Ayano Alemu Aylate , Tintaku Tarekegn 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Arba Minch crocodile ranch (AMCR) with the objective to identify major health problems and constraints of crocodile skin production. For this purpose, data were obtained from 105 purposively selected respondents using structured questionnaire and by filed observation and secondary data from record files. During the study period major infectious and noninfectious diseases, main source of health problem, health problem intervening habit, background of intervening individuals, frequency of skin production and average price of single skin were assessed. According to data obtained from the respondents bacterial infections were found with higher prevalence (34.3%) among the infectious diseases whereas trauma (40%) and poisoning (37.1%) were most frequently occurred noninfectious diseases. Contaminated feed and water and lack of enough sanitation were reported as the main source of health problems. Most frequently practiced intervening habits in the ranch were combination of prophylaxis, treatment and management. According to the data obtained from the respondents back ground of intervening individuals in disease intervention process in AMCR was dominated by layman (34.3%) rather than veterinarian and veterinary technician. Based on the respondents reply, fungal disease is the most frequently occurred skin disease in the ranch. Based on the findings recommendations were forwarded to amend clear policy on crocodile management and apply the code of practices on crocodile management and further expansion of the industry.
Behavioural and physiological assessment of juveniles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) experimentally challenged with paraffin oil
Authors: Ojelade Oluwaseun Christianah , Iyasere Oluwaseun , Durosaro Samuel , Ikililu ABULRAHEEM , Akinde Abiodun , Ibukun ISHOLA 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The incidence of oil spills that finds their way into the aquatic environment constitutes a serious threat to the welfare of fish species and other aquatic biotas. However, the behavioural and stress response of C. gariepinus to paraffin oil (PO) has not been investigated under laboratory conditions to understand the welfare implication of this pollutant on fish species in petroleum polluted aquatic environments. Ninety-six juveniles of C. gariepinus were randomly allocated to 8fish/tank and subjected to four sub-lethal concentrations T1-0.4ml/L, T2-0.8ml/L, T3-1.6ml/L and T4-0.00 ml/L (control) of paraffin oil in triplicates. The fish were observed every 12-hours using the focal sampling technique for seven days. Behavioural traits observed were swimming (Non-active (NA), erratic (ER), Very-active (VA)), feeding (feed intake (FI), duration of feeding (DF)), aggressive (agonistic (AGO), number of bruises and scars (BS)) and respiratory (air gulping, (AG) mucus secretion (MS), Opercula rate (OR)) pattern. Glucose in blood samples were assessed for physiological changes. Data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis tests. The result showed that concentrations of PO affected (P<0.05) the duration of NA, ER and VA behaviour in the fish species; there was no significant (P<0.05) difference between NA, ER and VA behaviour displayed by the C. gariepinus in T2 and T3. Feed responses during the experimental period were affected (P<0.05) by the different concentrations of PO, but FI and DF were similar (P>0.05) between T1 and T2. The concentration of PO increased AGO and the number of BS with the highest AGO and BS in T3. C. gariepinus in T2 and T3 displayed a similar (P>0.05) pattern of AG, MS and OR. The least frequency of AG and MS during the experiment was found in T1. The OR was affected (P<0.05) by PO exposure, and the highest OR was recorded in T3. Physiologically, exposure to PO increased (P<0.05) glucose level in blood samples of the fish species with a higher glucose value in T3. The study concluded that higher and continuous exposure to concentrations of paraffin oil could alter behavioural and physiological responses, which might impair the welfare of C. gariepinus in their habitat. It is imperative to be cautious about the quantity of PO products that get into our aquatic environments.
Prevalence and risk factors for cerebral microbleeds in elderly Chinese people with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Chen Yuhui , Liu Fang , Chen Juan , Wu Dongdong , He Jing , Chen Min , Liu Yinhong 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: People with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) frequently use antithrombotic agents and statins. The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in elderly Chinese people with ASCVD.Methods: We prospectively and continuously enrolled 755 participants (≥ 65 years old) in Beijing hospital’s health checkup center from February 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. MRI protocol and imaging analysis were implemented to identify the CMB, the multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was computed the risk factors of CMB.Results: The average age was 74.95 ± 9.54 years, and the prevalence of CMB was 37.9%. Of those with CMB, 65.0% had strictly lobar CMB, 15.7% had strictly deep CMB, and 19.2% had mixed CMB. Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.73, p < 0.0001), statin use (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07–2.32, p = 0.02), and lacunes (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.09–2.71, p = 0.021) were associated with any CMB. Age (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.10–1.63, p < 0.0001), statin use (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.57, p = 0.008), and white matter hyperintensities (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.15–2.46, p = 0.008) were associated with lobar CMB. Only lacunes were associated with deep CMB (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.85–5.87, p < 0.001). Antithrombotic drug use was not associated with CMB (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79–1.71, p = 0.457), lobar CMB (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.68–1.53, p = 0.908), or deep CMB (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.79–2.44, p = 0.254).Conclusion: Statin use was correlated with lobar CMB but not deep CMB in elderly people with risk factors of ASCVD. In contrast, antithrombotic drug use was not correlated with CMB.
EasySPR: a web simulador for agile modeling surface plasmon resonance based sensors
Authors: Gomes Julio C. M. , Oliveira Leiva C. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is a technology for analysis of biomolecular interaction, largely applied in biology and pharmaceutical research. The simulation of the surface plasmon optical excitation is an important steps of the development process for sensors based on this phenomenon. The structure, design and configuration of the desired SPR sensor benefits from previously simulated, analyzing the responses generated and check the feasibility of the materials selected for the optical coupling. Here a online web-based SPR sensor's simulator is presented. With visual-oriented interface, enable drag \& drop actions to easily and quickly modeling a variety of sensors arrangement. The embedded materials database for metals, glasses, polymers and custom substance enable flexible configuration for sensors operating in angular and spectral modes. The light propagation through the multilayer of materials is presented in terms of Fresnel coefficients, which are graphically displayed. The so-called SPR morphology parameters can be visualized. Sensor dynamic behavior could be wispy knowledge by the Sensorgram simulation. Simulation scenario's in various configurations, designs and excitation were performed and compare with other simulator. The proposed simulator guarantee comparable results with an agile and intuitive flow of execution.
Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of preimplantation genetic testing with trophectoderm biopsy: A retrospective cohort study of 3373 intracytoplasmic sperm injection single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles
Authors: Sun Ning , Fang Xing-Yu , Jiao Yun-Yun , Wang Yuan , Wan Ying , Wu Zhao-Ting , Jin Hai-Xia , Shi Hao , Song Wen-Yan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Trophectoderm biopsy is the most widely used biopsy method at present, its effectiveness and safety have always been a concern. Notably, various factors associated with the assisted reproductive technology (ART) process may be related to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. After taking potential factors into account, this study was designed to investigate whether trophectoderm biopsy increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This respective cohort study enrolled 3373 ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles with and without trophectoderm biopsy in the Reproductive Medical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in China from January 2015 to June 2020. Statistical methods including univariate logistic regression analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis were performed to analyze pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We found that PGT (Preimplantation genetic testing) with trophectoderm biopsy does not increase the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in ICSI single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles, and PGT can reduce the rate of birth defects. In addition, whether trophectoderm biopsy is performed or not, endometrial preparation by natural cycle and transplantation of Day 5 blastocysts and high-quality blastocysts may be conducive to better pregnancy outcomes, including higher rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth, as well as lower abortion rate.
Surgically Adjust Tibial Tunnel in Anatomical Anterior Cruciate Ligament Single-Bundle Reconstruction: A Time-Zero Biomechanical Study In Vitro
Authors: Wang Hong , Teng Yuanjun , Peng Bo , Jia Gengxin , Yi Zhi , Han Hua , Xia Yayi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
The anatomical positioning of the graft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is of great significance for restoring normal knee kinematics and preventing early joint degeneration.The first attempt to place a guide wire in the center of the tibial footprint may be mispositioned. Therefore, its adjustment is important to achieve the anatomical positioning of the graft in the tibial footprints. Our research aims to test the time-zero biomechanical properties in adjusting inaccurate guide pins to the center of the tibial footprint in anatomical anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction.
Methods
Porcine tibias and bovine extensor tendons were used to simulate a transtibial ACL reconstruction in vitro. Load-to failure testing was carried out in 4 groups: the Control group (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled at the center of the ACL footprint. Group I (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 1 mm away from the center of the ACL footprint. Group II (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 2 mm away from the center of the ACL footprint. Group III (n = 8): the guide pin was drilled 3 mm away. In the experiment groups, a small tunnel with a 4.5-mm reamer is made and the guide pin is shifted to the center of the footprint. All the reamed tibias were scanned by CT to measure the area of the tunnel in the footprint, and the load-elongation curve, tensile stiffness (in newtons per millimeter), ultimate load (in newtons), yield load (in newtons), energy absorbed to failure (in joules), and failure mode were recorded after the grafts were fixed by interference screws.
Results
All graft-tibia complexes failed because the grafts slipped past the interference screws. Regarding the tensile stiffness, ultimate load, yield load, energy absorbed to failure, twisting force, and tunnel exit area, ANOVA showed no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). No significant differences in biomechanical properties were found between groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
Surgical adjustment of the guide pin to the center of the tibial footprint may has no influence in time-zero biomechanical properties in anatomical anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction.
Effect of NaCl stress on tillering of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mitigation regulation of prohexadione-calcium
Authors: Zhang Rongjun , Zheng Dianfeng , Feng Naijie , Zhou Hang , Liu Meiling , Li Yao , Meng Fengyan , Huang Xixin , Huang Anqi , Li Yixiang 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Salt stress inhibits crop quality and yields, and growth regulators are used to enhance salt tolerance of crops. Here, we report the effect of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) on rice tillering under salt stress. The results showed the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and electrolyte leakage in leaves were increased as well as the expression of the antioxidant enzymes was induced under salt stress. Foliar application of Pro-Ca reduced seedling height, increased the stem base width, improved the lodging resistance of rice, decreased MDA content and electrolyte leakage, and alleviated the membrane damage of rice under salt stress. Exogenous Pro-Ca also increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and the stomatal conductance (Gs) of rice, decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) of rice at the tillering stage under salt stress. In conclusion, Pro-Ca improved the salt tolerance of rice at the tillering stage by enhancing the lodging resistance of rice, alleviating cell membrane damage of leaves caused by NaCl stress, and enhancing photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity. Effect of Pro-Ca on rice at the tillering stage under 0.3% NaCl stress was discussed, which provided a theoretical basis for revealing physiological changes at the rice tillering stage.
Exogenous 24-epibrassinolide ameliorates tolerance to high-temperature by adjusting the biosynthesis of pigments, enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and diosgenin content in fenugreek.
Authors: Sheikhi Shahla , Ebrahimi Amin , Heidari Parviz , Amerian Mohamad Reza , Monfared Sajad Rashidi , Alipour Hadi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The current study highlights the influence of 24-epibrassinosteroid on enhancing tolerance to high-temperature and altering the diosgenin content in fenugreek. The EBR application under high-temperature stress, resulted in decreased malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage percentage compared to plants treated with high-temperature stress. The antioxidant activities rose under high-temperature stress and applying EBR compared to control. Exogenous EBR application possibly contributes in activating the NO, H2O2 and ABA-dependent pathway, enhancing the biosynthesis of abscisic acid and auxin, and regulating the signal transduction pathways, which raises fenugreek tolerance to high-temperature. The SQS (8-fold), SEP (2.8-fold), CAS (11-fold), SMT (17-fold) and SQS (6-fold) expression, considerably increased following EBR application (8 μM) compared to control. Compared to control, when the short-term (6 h) high-temperature stress was accompanied by EBR (8 μM), a 6-fold increase in diosgenin content was achieved. Our findings highlight the potential role of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide in mitigating the high-temperature stress in fenugreek by stimulating the biosynthesis processes of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, chlorophylls and diosgenin. In conclusion, the current results could be of utmost importance in breeding or biotechnology-based programs of fenugreek and also in the researches related to the engineering of the biosynthesis pathway of diosgenin in this valuable plant.
Application of the various soft computing techniques for Landslide susceptibility mapping (Case study: A part of Haraz Watershed)
Authors: Sepahvand Alireza , Sihag Parveen , Moradi Saba 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The objective of this research was to determination the effective parameter on landslide occurrence and compare the landslide susceptibility zoning methods including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Gaussian Process (GP) regression based on two kernels (Pearson VII and radial basis) and Random Forest (RF) in the part of Haraz watershed, Iran. In present research, nine factors like slope, aspect, elevation, geology, land use, distance of fault, distance of road, distance of river and precipitation were used as key parameters for assessment of landslide susceptibility. Three statistical comparison criteria including Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), Coefficient of Correlation (C.C) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were used to determine the best performing model. The obtained results shown that the Rf model (with C.C = 0.9753, RMSE = 0.1434 and NSE = 0.9176) is more accurate to assess the landslide susceptibility as compare to the other models. Sensitivity analysis suggeste that the factor, aspect, plays the most substantial role in the evaluation of landslide susceptibility. Comparison of results displays that there is no important diversity between observed and predicted values of landslide occurrence and landslide non-occurrence using GP_PUK, GP_RBF, SVM_PUK, SVM_RBF and Random Forest approaches.
Transmittion and slow-light analysis based on tunable plasmon-induced transparency in patterned monolayer graphene metamaterial and its sensing application
Authors: Fan Chunzhen , Jiang Wenya 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A novel design of monolayer graphene metamaterial is proposed and numerically investigated to achieve tunable plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) and switcher in THz region. The designed top graphene layer includes the resonators of strips and annulus and deposit on the indium antimonide. A distinct PIT transparency window originating from the bright-bright mode coupling is examined based on the analysis of electric field distribution. Highly tunable optical response can be realized not only by the Fermi energy, but also the incident polarization angle and the external thermal stimuli. What’s worth noting is that the resonant width and strength of PIT transparency window can be flexibly tuned at a fixed frequency. In addition, the accompanied slow light effect around the transparency window and a single or dual frequency switchable on-to-off modulator are also realized by setting the Fermi energy. Finally, the sensing application is demonstrated through the thermal stimuli and the sensitivity is about 9.5 GHz/K. Therefore, our results provide guidance for the design of highly flexible and tunable terahertz photonic devices.
Machine Learning Modeling of Predictive External Corrosion Rates of Spent Nuclear Fuel Canister in Soil
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Chung , So Yoon-Sik , Yoo Jin-Soek , Kim Jung-Gu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSoil corrosion is always a critical concern to corrosion engineering because of the economic influence of soil infrastructures as has been and has recently been the focus of spent nuclear fuel canister. Besides corrosion protection, the prediction of the corrosion rate canister is also important. Advanced knowledge of the corrosion rate of spent nuclear fuel canister material in a particular environment can be extremely helpful in choosing the best protection method. Applying machine learning (ML) to corrosion rate prediction solves all the challenges because of the number of variables affecting soil corrosion. In this study, three algorithms of ML, including artificial neural network (ANN), chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) tree decision, and linear regression (LR) with an ensemble learning (EL) method, were applied to find the optimal model and parameters for predicting soil corrosion rate with the dataset of this study.
Stochastic Learning and Extremal-Field Map Based Autonomous Guidance of Low-Thrust Spacecraft
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Junkins John 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A supervised stochastic learning method called the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) is used to design an autonomous guidance law for low-thrust spacecraft. The problems considered are both of the time- and fuel-optimal regimes and a methodology based on ``perturbed back-propagation'' approach is presented to generate optimal control along neighboring optimal trajectories which form the extremal bundle constituting the training data-set. The use of this methodology coupled with a GPR approximation of the spacecraft control via prediction of the costate \textit{n}-tuple or the primer vector respectively for time- and fuel-optimal trajectories at discrete time-steps is demonstrated to be effective in designing an autonomous guidance law using the open-loop bundle of trajectories to-go. The methodology is applied to the Earth- 3671 Dionysus time-optimal interplanetary transfer of a low-thrust spacecraft with off-nominal thruster performance and the resulting guidance law is evaluated under different design parameters using case-studies. The results highlight the utility and applicability of the proposed framework with scope for further improvements.
Impacts of Maritime Continent Deforestation on ENSO Complexity
Authors: LEE TING HUI , Yu Jin-Yi , Lin Yong-Fu , Lo Min-Hui 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
During the past two decades, the Maritime Continent (MC) has experienced increased deforestation1. Here we show with idealized coupled climate model experiments that deforestation in the MC has the potential to change the complexity (i.e., event-to-event differences) of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in three key aspects: its spatial pattern, temporal evolution, and amplitude variation. The deforestation alters the relative strengths of the tropical and subtropical types of ENSO dynamics, leading to the changes in ENSO complexity. The strengths of the tropical and subtropical ENSO dynamics are comparable in the control run but the subtropical ENSO dynamics is intensified in the deforestation run. As a result, the deforestation run shows increases in Central Pacific and multi-year La Niñas and re-intensified El Niño events (resembling the 2014-15-16 Super El Niño) compared to the control run. The mechanism for these changes involves an anomalous local overturning circulation over the MC that alters the mean strength of the North Pacific subtropical high resulting in a strengthening of the subtropical ENSO dynamics. The intensified subtropical ENSO dynamics enables a MC-deforested world to produce more complex ENSO events.