bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geometric Entropy of Plant Leaves: A Measure of Morphological Complexity
Authors: M Vishnu , Rajan Sajeev C , R Jaishanker 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
A boundary separates a physical object from its surroundings. It defines the object's shape and regulates energy flux to and from it. Visual perception of the shape (geometry) of physical objects is an abstraction. While the perceived geometry at an object's sharp interface (macro) creates a Euclidian illusion of actual shape, the notion of diffuse interfaces (micro) allows grasping the realistic form of objects. Here we formulate a dimensionless geometric entropy of plant leaves (SL) by a 2-D description of a phase-field function. SL is estimated from the leaf perimeter (P) and leaf area (A) and correlates positively with segmental fractal complexity (DΣS ). Leaves with a higher P:A ratio has higher SL and morphological complexity. An increase in SL of plant leaves could be an evolutionary strategy. The results of morphological complexity presented in this paper will trigger discussion on the causal links between leaf adaptive stability/efficiency and complexity. We present SL as a derived plant trait to describe plant leaf complexity and adaptive stability. Integrating SL into other leaf physiological measures will help understand energy dynamics and information flow in ecological systems.
Nicosulfuron Stress on Glyoxalase System and endogenous hormone content in sweet maize seedlings
Authors: Wu Zhenxing , Wang Jian , Lin Xiaohu , Yang Qing , Wang Tingzhen , Chen Jianjian , Li Xiangnan , Guan Yuan , Lv Guihua 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In order to reduce the harmful effects of nisulfuron on sweet corn, the physiological regulation mechanism of sweet corn detoxification was studied. In this study, a pair of sister lines of sweet corn(nicosulfuron-tolerant“HK310” and nicosulfuron-sensitive “HK320”)were used to analyze the effects of nicosulfuron stress on glyoxalase system, hormone content and key gene expression on sweet corn seedlings. The results showed that after spraying nicosulfuron, methyl glyoxal (MG) content in HK301 increased first and then decreased. As well as, the activities of glyoxalaseI (GlyI) and glyoxalaseII (GlyII), the content of non-enzymatic glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione redox state glutathione/ (glutathione + glutathione disulfide) (GSH/ (GSH + GSSG)) showed the same trend as the MG content. Besides, the contents of ababic acid (ABA), gibberelin (GA) and zeatin nucleoside (ZR) also increased first and then decreased, and auxin (IAA) content increased continuously. In HK301, all indexes after spraying nicosulfuron were significantly greater than those of control. In HK320, MG accumulation continued to increase after nicosulfuron spraying, and the activities of GlyI and GlyII and GSH content first increased and then decreased after 1d stress. The indicators above are significantly greater than the control. While the ratio of GSH/ (GSH + GSSG) showed a decreasing trend and significantly smaller than the control. Furthermore, the contents of ABA and IAA continued to increase, and the contents of GA and ZR first increased and then decreased. Compared with HK320, HK301 significantly upregulated the transcription levels of GlyI and GlyII genes in roots, stems and leaves. Comprehensive analysis showed that sweet maize seedlings with different drug resistance improved their herbicide resistance by changing glyoxalase system and regulating endogenous hormones. The results provided a theoretical basis for further understanding the response mechanism of glyoxalase system and the regulation characteristics of endogenous hormones in maize under the stress of nianysulfuron.
A retrospective analysis of the efficacy of oral dexamethasone in combination with docetaxel plus ramucirumab therapy for previously treated lung cancer
Authors: Hamai Kosuke , Katsura Ryo , Miyake Shinya , Fujita Suguru , Tada Shinpei , Hirakawa Tetsu , Ueno Sayaka , Tanimoto Takuya , Ishikawa Nobuhisa 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Docetaxel plus ramucirumab (DTX + RAM) therapy is a standard treatment for previously treated lung cancer, but many adverse events has been reported. Therefore, this retrospective study was conducted to examine if the side effects of DTX + RAM therapy can be minimized by the combined use of oral dexamethasone and to assess the therapeutic effect of DTX + RAM in patients with recurrent lung cancer.
Methods
Forty patients with relapsed non-small cell lung cancer who underwent DTX + RAM therapy were divided into two groups based on the concomitant use of oral dexamethasone and compared the therapeutic effects and toxicities of the two groups.
Results
The objective response and tumor shrinkage rates were significantly better in the dexamethasone group (p = 0.0203 and 0.0238, respectively). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.20 months vs. 2.87 months (p = 0.064). On the other hand, the median overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the dexamethasone group (15.17 months vs. 7.37 months, p = 0.0317). Febrile neutropenia was more common in the dexamethasone group, but other side effects were not significantly different between the groups. The frequency of fluid retention within six months of the start of treatment was 10.0% vs. 42.5%, and the fluid retention rate was significantly higher in the non-dexamethasone group (p = 0.039).
Conclusion
Concomitant use of oral dexamethasone during DTX + RAM therapy did not reduce the side effects, but may facilitate the long-term continuation of treatment and contribute to OS prolongation.
Manipulating Exchange Bias in 2D Magnetic Heterojunction for High-performance Robust Memory Applications
Authors: Ye Lei , Huang Xinyu , Zhang Luman , Tong Lei , Li Zheng , Peng Zhuiri , Lin Runfeng , Xue Kan-Hao , Dai Hongwei , Cheng Hui , Branco Danilo de Camargo , Xu Jian-Bin , Han Jun-Bo , Cheng Gary , Miao Xiang Shui , Shi Wenhao 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The exchange bias (EB) effect plays an undisputed role in the development of highly sensitive, robust, and high-density spintronic devices in magnetic data storage. However, the weak EB field, low blocking temperature as well as the lack of modulation methods seriously limit the application of EB in spintronic devices. Here, we utilized a pressure engineering to efficiently tune the van der Waals (vdW) spacing of the 2D FePSe3/Fe3GeTe2 heterostructures. The EB field (HEB, from 29.2 mT to 111.2 mT) and blocking temperature (Tb, from 20 K to 110 K) are significantly enhanced, and a highly sensitive and robust spin valve is demonstrated. Interestingly, this enhancement of the EB effect was observed in exposed Fe3GeTe2, due to the single domain nature of Fe3GeTe2. Our findings provide new opportunities for the production, exploration, and tuning of magnetic vdW heterostructures with strong interlayer coupling, thereby enabling customized 2D spintronic devices in the future.
Title-Post-diagnostic statin use and breast cancer-specific mortality: a population-based cohort study.
Authors: Scott Oliver William , TinTin Sandar , Harborg Sixten , Kuper-Hommel Marion JJ , Lawrenson Ross , Elwood J Mark 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Statins are the most widely prescribed cholesterol lowering medications and have been associated with both improved and unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the post-diagnostic use of statins and breast cancer outcomes (death and recurrence) in a large, representative sample of New Zealand (NZ) women with breast cancer.
Methods
Women diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to national pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of breast cancer-specific death (BCD) associated with any post-diagnostic statin use.
Results
Of the 14,976 women included in analyses, 27% used a statin after diagnosis and the median follow up time was 4.51 years. Statin use (vs non-use) was associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.74; 0.63-0.86). The association was attenuated when considering a subgroup of ‘new’ statin users (HR: 0.91; 0.69-1.19), however other analyses revealed that the protective effect of statins was more pronounced in estrogen receptor positive patients (HR: 0.77; 0.63-0.94), postmenopausal women (HR: 0.74; 0.63-0.88), and in women with advanced stage disease (HR: 0.65; 0.49-0.84).
Conclusion
In this study, statin use was associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of breast cancer death, with subgroup analyses revealing a more protective effect in ER+ patients, postmenopausal women, and in women with advanced stage disease. Further research is warranted to determine if these associations are replicated in other clinical settings.
Microstrobilinia castrans, a new genus and species of the Sclerotiniaceae parasitizing pollen cones of Picea spp.
Authors: Beenken Ludwig , Stroheker Sophie , Dubach Vivanne , Schlegel Markus , Queloz Valentin , Gross Andrin 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The fungal pathogens of spruce are well known not only in Europe but worldwide. Therefore, it was all the more surprising to discover a new fungal species and genus in Central Europe that attacks the pollen cones of three spruce species. The new ascomycete forms apothecia on stromatized pollen cones of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian spruce (P. omorika) in mountain areas as well as on West Himalayan spruce (P. smithiana) planted in urban lowland regions of Switzerland and Germany. It was also detected in France, based on sequences found in the GlobalFungi database of fungal occurrences from high-throughput-sequencing metabarcoding studies. The different origins of the host trees in Europe and Asia leave the origin of the fungus unclear. The new fugus might be a neomycet for Europe. A phylogenetic analysis using SSU, LSU, ITS, RPB2 and TEF1 sequences classified the fungus to the family Sclerotiniaceae (Helotiales, Leotiomycetes). However, it differs morphologically to the other genera in this family by an ascus without apical apparatus and four citriform spores. Furthermore, it is the only known cup fungus that parasitizes pollen cones of conifers by stromatizing their tissue and infecting pollen grains. The fungus does not seem to cause major damage to the spruce populations, as only a few pollen cones per tree are affected. All this leads us to describe the newly discovered fungus as the new species and new genus Microstrobilinia castrans, the fungus that castrate pollen cones of spruce.
Efficacy and safety of GLucocorticoid injections into InfrapaTellar faT pad in patients with knee ostEoarthRitiS: protocol for the GLITTERS randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ruan Guangfeng , Zheng Peng , Huang Sili , Zhou Xiaoni , Liu Xuelian , Hu Wenjie , Feng Huiting , Lin Yangyang , He Juanjuan , Wei Zhenhai , Zhang Jiangshan , Chang Qing , Wei Xiaomei , Fan Tao , Jiang Li , Ding Changhai 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disabling disorder that involves changes in articular cartilage damage, subchondral bone remodeling, synovitis, and abnormal infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP). Due to the complicated etiology and numerous phenotypes of knee OA, limited improvement is achieved for treatments among knee OA patients with different phenotypes. Inflammatory OA phenotype is a typical knee OA phenotype, and individualized treatment targeting on inflammation is a promising way to obtain an optimal therapeutic effect for people with inflammatory knee OA phenotype. Glucocorticoid is a traditional anti-inflammatory drug for knee OA and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections are recommended clinically. However, emerging evidence has shown the repeated intra-articular glucocorticoid injections for a long term would induce cartilage loss. IPFP and its adjacent synovium are considered as the main source of inflammation in knee OA. This GLITTERS trial aims to investigate if a glucocorticoid injection into the IPFP is effective and safe over 12 weeks among knee OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype.
Methods
GLITTERS is a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial among knee OA patients with both Hoffa-synovitis and effusion-synovitis. Sixty participants will be allocated randomly and equally to either the glucocorticoid group or the control group. Each group will receive an injection of glucocorticoid or saline into the IPFP at baseline, and be followed 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Primary outcomes will be changes in knee pain on a visual analogue scale and effusion-synovitis volume measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondary outcomes will be changes in the total score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, MRI-detected Hoffa-synovitis score, quality of life, pain medication use, IPFP volume, and the incidence of adverse reactions. Data analyses based on the intention-to-treat principle will include mixed-effects regressions, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests (or Fisher’s exact test).
Discussion
GLITTERS may provide high-quality evidence for the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided glucocorticoid injections into IPFP among people with inflammatory knee OA in a short term. The results of this trial are expected to provide a reliable reference for a longer-term risk-benefit profile of this treatment in the future.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials. gov NCT05291650. Registered on 23/03/2022.
Electronic Devices and Social Networks Use Out of School and Sleep Conditions: What is the Role of Sports?
Authors: Gaya Anelise Reis , Brum Rodolfo , Brites Keith , Gaya Adroaldo , Schneiders Letícia Borba , Junior Miguel Ângelo Duarte , López-Gil José Francisco 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: It is expected that children involved in daily physical activities and/or sports should be protected from the risk associated with the sedentary profile in sleep conditions. This is because physical activity is a protective behavior and is inversely associated with the early development of risk factors in the young population. Although there are many studies including sleep conditions and physical activity, we still do not know whether regular sports practice could be associated with better sleep conditions. Therefore, this study has the following objectives, (1): to determine which are the most common electronic display devices related to sleep time and conditions; (2) determine which is the most common social network application such as Facebook, Tik-Tok, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp associated with sleep time and conditions and (3) verify the role of sports engagement as protective behavior in these relationships.
Methods: Cross-sectional study, with 1101 Spanish adolescents, between 12 and 17 years old. Age, sex, sleep, psychosocial health, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, adherence to sport, and time spent on screen devices were assessed by questionnaire. Linear regression was applied, adjusting the associated variables. Poisson regression was applied between the sexes. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. The analyzes were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 27.0.
Results: the cell phone was more associated with sleep time. In boys, time spent on cell phones and video games had a higher prevalence ratio. When psychosocial health was included in the models, we found the greatest association. For girls, time spent on the cell phone was significantly associated with sleep quality, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet became the second most important in the model, followed by psychosocial health and cell phone use. Time spent on WhatsApp was associated with sleep quality only among girls and was the most important variable in the model along with diet and psychosocial health.
Conclusions: Our results suggest a strong relationship between cell phones, video games and social networks with sleep quality and time.
Scoring consistency of standard patients and examiners in the developed dental OSCE system
Authors: Zhu Feng , Wu Li , Shao Xiuxiu , Huang Lijuan , Meng Xiangfeng , Nie Rongrong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the use of standard patients (SPs) and examiners as assessors for scoring in the developed dental objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) system and to evaluate scoring differences between them.
Methods
The doctor–patient communication and clinical examination station in the OSCE examination system was developed. The examination time of this station was 10 min, and the examination institution wrote the script and recruited SPs. A total of 146 examinees receiving standardized training at the Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, from 2018 to 2021 were assessed. The same examinee was scored by SPs and examiners according to the same scoring rubrics. Subsequently, the SPSS software was used to analyze the examination results of different assessors and evaluate their correlation.
Results
The average score of all examinees at this station was 90.45 ± 3.52 by SPs and 91.53 ± 4.13 by examiners. A significant positive correlation was found between their scores, with a correlation coefficient of 0.746. Thus, the assessors had good reliability and higher consistency.
Conclusions
It was feasible to use SPs directly as assessors. They could provide a simulated and realistic clinical setting and create favorable conditions for comprehensive competence training and improvement for medical students during school.
On-chip black hole: Hawking radiation and curved spacetime in a superconducting quantum circuit with tunable couplers
Authors: Fan Heng , Shi Yun-Hao , Yang Run-Qiu , Xiang Zhongcheng , Ge Zi-Yong , Li Hao , Wang Yong-Yi , Huang Kaixuan , Tian Ye , Song Xiaohui , Zheng Dongning , Xu Kai , Cai Rong-Gen 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Hawking radiation is one of the quantum features of a black hole that can be understood as a quantum tunneling across the event horizon of the black hole, but it is quite difficult to directly observe the Hawking radiation of an astrophysical black hole. Remarkable experiments of analogue black holes on various platforms have been performed. However, due to the experimental difficulty of accurately constructing curved spacetime and precisely measuring the thermal spectrum, Hawking radiation and its quantum nature, such as entanglement, have not been adequately investigated. Based on the recent architecture breakthrough of tunable couplers for superconducting processors, we experimentally realize an analogue black hole using our newly developed chip with a chain of 10 superconducting transmon qubits with interactions mediated by 9 transmon-type tunable couplers. By developing efficient techniques to engineer the couplings between qubits via tuning couplers, we achieve both flat and curved spacetime backgrounds. The quantum walks of quasi-particle in the curved spacetime reflect the gravitational effect near the black hole, resulting in the behavior of Hawking radiation. By virtue of the state tomography measurement of all 7 qubits outside the analogue event horizon, we show that Hawking radiation can be verified. In addition, an entangled pair is prepared inside the horizon and the dynamics of entanglement in the curved spacetime is directly measured. Our results would stimulate more interests to explore the related features of black holes using the programmable superconducting processor with tunable couplers.
Liquid Ga-In-Sn alloys printing of novel GaInSnO ultra-thin semiconductor films and controllable performance field effect transistors
Authors: Liu Jing , Du Bang-Deng , Li Qian , Meng Xian-Wei 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Wide bandgap semiconductor Ga2O3 is a high potential material for fabricating next generation power electronics. However, the low conductivity and carrier mobility of Ga2O3 kept standing as big barriers for its practical application. For many years, the efficient and low cost doping process to enhance the conductivity of Ga2O3 is always a technological challenge. Here, we reported a one step synthesis strategy to prepare Ga2O3 doped with In2O3 and SnO2 (GaInSnO) multilayers from liquid Ga-In-Sn alloys’ surface. A large area, controllable thickness and high conductivity GaInSnO multilayers can be facilely obtained by using van der Waals exfoliation at low temperature of 200 ℃. The printed GaInSnO multilayers are transparent and display bandgaps above 4.5 eV. The field effect transistors (FET) based on the printed GaInSnO multilayers show n-type switching with on/off ratio all exceeding 105, a maximum field-effect mobility (µeff) of 65.40 cm2 V−1 s−1, and a minimum sub-threshold swing (SS) of 91.11 mV dec-1 at room temperature. With rinsing Ga concentration in GaInSnO multilayers, the µeff of fabricated FET decrease, while the SS increase. The present method can be further extended to produce various doped Ga2O3 films, and utilized to fabricate electronic and photoelectronic devices based on modified Ga2O3.
Geospatial Analysis of Diabetes Type 2 and Hypertension in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Zainuddin Andi Alfian , Rahim Amran , Rasyid Haerani , Ramadany Sri , Dharmayani Himawan , Abdullah Andi Afdal 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The spatial variation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension and their potential linkage were explored in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The Local Moran’s I, the Getis-Ord, and regression analysis were applied to identify the characteristics involved. The methods were performed based on T2DM and hypertension data from 2017 and 2018. The spatial variation of T2DM and Hypertension showed that the prevalence rate of T2DM tends to form a cluster hotspot and there is no cold spot and spatial outlier. Meanwhile, the prevalence rate of hypertension tends to occur randomly. In analyzing the relationship between T2DM and Hypertension, we utilized the Generalized poisson regression analysis and the result showed that there is a significant relationship between T2DM and hypertension (p-value = 1.695e-10). This research could help policymakers to plan and support projects with the aim of overcoming the risk of T2DM and hypertension.