bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between angioarchitecture of the testicular artery and spermiogram parameters in Egyptian buffalo bulls (bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Sary Ramadan G. , Mohamed Ragab H. , Khalil Karim M. , Al‐lethie Al‐Lethie A. , Hussein Hassan A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe current study aimed to investigate the effect of testicular artery angioarchitecture on the spermiogram parameters in Egyptian Buffalo bulls. Eight adult buffalo bulls aged between 2 and 8 years were used for semen evaluation. For anatomical studies, the masculine gonads were collected after slaughtering 30 adult bulls and prepared for injection by different masses (Urographine®, Latex and Epoxy) through the testicular artery. The mass activity of the ejaculate was assessed immediately after collection. The sperm motility in fresh bull ejaculate was more than 80%. The overall mean percentage of sperm abnormalities was <18%. The recorded sperm abnormalities were mostly secondary one including distal protoplasmic droplet, fragmented tail, detached head, detached galea capitis and bent tail. The highest percentage of sperm viability was recorded just after sperm collection (alive > 85%). The results revealed that testicular artery can be divided into three parts (abdominal, funicular and marginal parts) along its course. The coils of the funicular part forming a cone‐like structure with its base fixed to the head of the testis. Two epididymal branches to the head and tail of epididymis emanate from the funicular part which continues as pars marginalis on the lateral surface of testis before its division into the lateral and medial testicular arteries on approaching the tail extremity of the testis. The increase in the length of the testicular artery with increase in the size of the testes played a great role in the degree of complexity of the architectural vascular patterns. The degree of complexity is affected by the number of coils formed by the vessel. The increase in the convolutions of the vessel will reduce the speed of blood flow to the gonads. Thus in turn will enabling the thermoregulatory mechanism to work more efficiently and will affect the semen value.
Using art to improve visual diagnosis: a review
Authors: Rana Jasmine , Pop Samantha , Burgin Susan 
Published: January 2020

SummaryBackgroundElective visual arts‐based courses for trainees in the health professions may, amongst other things, help improve visual diagnostic skills. An emphasis on the careful observation of visual art and medical images and the co‐teaching of such courses by both medical faculty members and local art educators seem to be particularly important elements for the successful implementation of such courses.Literature reviewAt least 12 studies to date suggest that guided observation of visual art (e.g. paintings and photography) can enhance the quality and/or quantity of visual observations. More research is needed regarding optimal course structure and assessment, but existing evidence supports the development of visual arts‐based coursework for health care trainees using strategies such as ‘visual thinking skills’ and engagement and processing in groups.Take‐home messageThe arts or ‘medical humanities’ are increasingly used in the education of health professionals, and growing evidence exists that visual arts‐based coursework, in particular, can enhance the observation skills of participants. Notably, the expertise and experience of trainees in specific disciplines are likely to influence specific learning goals and course structure in each context; however, unique arts‐based teaching strategies (e.g. ‘visual thinking skills’) can be used across all settings.There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation … William Osler, 19031
Experimental Characterization of Sprays in a Recessed Gas-Centered Swirl Coaxial Atomizer
Authors: Joseph A. , Sakthikumar R. , Sivakumar D. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The characteristics of sprays from a recessed gas-centered swirl coaxial atomizer (RGCSCA) with gas to liquid momentum flux ratio, J of the spray in the range of 2–66 are studied experimentally through the analysis of spray morphologies and droplets characteristics. The process of fully developed spray (spray free from ligaments/droplets clusters and nonspherical droplets) in the atomizer is quantified. In the RGCSCA, the distance from the atomizer exit to the fully developed spray zone decreases with increase in J. Detailed measurements of size (in the range of 6–378 μm) and velocity (in the range of 35–176 m/s) characteristics of spray droplets are carried out using phase Doppler interferometry (PDI) in the fully developed spray. The spray from the RGCSCA is comprised of two distinct spray morphologies: a central dense spray of finer droplets and an outer coarse spray. The mean drop size of the central spray exhibits a decreasing trend with the increase in J whereas that of the outer coarse spray is independent of J. The radial profiles of the mean velocities of sprays at different J are presented. For the sprays with low inertia liquid sheets, the shape of mean axial velocity profiles is Gaussian.
Transonic Turbine Vane Endwall Film Cooling Using the Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurement Technique
Authors: Shiau Chao-Cheng , Sahin Izzet , Ullah Izhar , Han Je-Chin , Mirzamoghadam Alexander V. , Riahi Ardeshir , Stimpson Curtis 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
This work focuses on the parametric study of film cooling effectiveness on the turbine vane endwall under various flow conditions. The experiments were performed in a five-vane annular sector cascade facility in a blowdown wind tunnel. The controlled exit isentropic Mach numbers were 0.7, 0.9, and 1.0, from high subsonic to transonic conditions. The freestream turbulence intensity is estimated to be 12%. Three coolant-to-mainstream mass flow ratios (MFR) in the range 0.75%, 1.0%, and 1.25% are studied. N2, CO2, and Argon/SF6 mixture were used to investigate the effects of density ratio (DR), ranging from 1.0, 1.5, to 2.0. There are eight cylindrical holes on the endwall inside the passage. The pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique was used to capture the endwall pressure distribution for shock wave visualization and obtain the detailed film cooling effectiveness distributions. Both the high-fidelity effectiveness contour and the laterally (spanwise) averaged effectiveness were measured to quantify the parametric effect. This study will provide the gas turbine designer more insight on how the endwall film cooling effectiveness varies with different cooling flow conditions including shock wave through the endwall crossflow passage.
Evolution of the Pleistocene Lake Tecopa beds, southeastern California: A stratigraphic and sedimentologic perspective
Authors: Larsen* Daniel , Olson Kristian 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
The deposits of Pleistocene Lake Tecopa include lacustrine, alluvial, eolian, and groundwater discharge deposits of the Tecopa basin in southeastern California. Stratigraphic sections measured in the Tecopa basin and detailed sedimentary facies analysis were used to interpret the depositional settings and track the evolution of sedimentary processes in the basin during the Pleistocene. The early Pleistocene (ca. 2.4–1.0 Ma) deposits of the Lake Tecopa beds record deposition in small saline, alkaline lakes and playas with surrounding mudflats and sandflats and adjacent alluvial fans. Ancestral Amargosa River gravels are first observed in fluvial deposits in the northern part of the basin at ca. 1.0 Ma and correspond with lake expansions (Glass Mountain [GM] lakes) during deposition of the uppermost Glass Mountain ash beds. Several oscillations in lake level followed the post-GM lake decline, culminating in the basin-filling Lava Creek (LC) lake, which reached its acme during deposition of the 0.63 Ma Lava Creek B ash bed. The post–Lava Creek B strata reflect primarily alluvial, fluvial, eolian, and groundwater discharge depositional processes, punctuated in the youngest part of the section by basin-filling lakes (high lake 1 and 2). The Lava Creek B ash bed and older lacustrine strata exhibit extensive zeolitization and clay authigenesis, characteristic of saline, alkaline lake deposits, but the post–Lava Creek B ash bed lacustrine strata have only minor zeolite and clay alteration, suggesting fresher water conditions and a change in the hydrologic state of the basin. Sedimentological observations along with shoreline elevation data provide evidence for intermittent spillover of basin-filling lakes after ca. 0.63 Ma.
Subtle tectonic deformation influenced sedimentary processes in the Tecopa basin throughout its history. Episodes of uplift and tilting of Lake Tecopa strata during the middle Pleistocene in the southern part of the basin along the Tecopa Hump likely controlled the sill elevation for spillover of the lake, creating accommodation space for late Pleistocene basin-filling lakes. Ultimately, decreased uplift could not keep pace with increased discharge resulting from high effective moisture during latest middle Pleistocene pluvial periods, and Lake Tecopa drained, most likely during or immediately after marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 10 (ca. 0.3 Ma). The deposits of Lake Tecopa provide a detailed record of Pleistocene paleoclimate from ca. 2.4 to 0.3 Ma that demonstrates Milankovitch-scale tuning and clarifies the amplitude of Pleistocene climate change in the southern Great Basin of North America.
The missing link of Rodinia breakup in western South America: A petrographical, geochemical, and zircon Pb-Hf isotope study of the volcanosedimentary Chilla beds (Altiplano, Bolivia)
Authors: Bahlburg Heinrich , Zimmermann Udo , Matos Ramiro , Berndt Jasper , Jimenez Nestor , Gerdes Axel 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe assembly of Rodinia involved the collision of eastern Laurentia with southwestern Amazonia at ca. 1 Ga. The tectonostratigraphic record of the central Andes records a gap of ∼300 m.y. between 1000 Ma and 700 Ma, i.e., from the beginning of the Neoproterozoic Era to the youngest part of the Cryogenian Period. This gap encompasses the time of final assembly and breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent in this region.We present new petrographic and whole-rock geochemical data and U-Pb ages combined with Hf isotope data of detrital zircons from the volcanosedimentary Chilla beds exposed on the Altiplano southwest of La Paz, Bolivia. The presence of basalt to andesite lavas and tuffs of continental tholeiitic affinity provides evidence of a rift setting for the volcanics and, by implication, the associated sedimentary rocks. U-Pb ages of detrital zircons (n = 124) from immature, quartz-intermediate sandstones have a limited range between 1737 and 925 Ma. A youngest age cluster (n = 3) defines the maximum depositional age of 925 ± 12 Ma. This is considered to coincide with the age of deposition because Cryogenian and younger ages so typical of Phanerozoic units of this region are absent from the data.The zircon age distribution shows maxima between 1300 and 1200 Ma (37% of all ages), the time of the Rondônia–San Ignacio and early Sunsás (Grenville) orogenies in southwestern Amazonia. A provenance mixing model considering the Chilla beds, Paleozoic Andean units, and data from eastern Laurentia Grenville sources shows that &gt;90% of the clastic input was likely derived from Amazonia. This is also borne out by multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of the data.We also applied MDS analysis to combinations of U-Pb age and Hf isotope data, namely εHf(t) and 176Hf/177Hf values, and demonstrate again a very close affinity of the Chilla beds detritus to Amazonian sources. We conclude that the Chilla beds represent the first and hitherto only evidence of Rodinia breakup in Tonian time in Andean South America.
Correlation between lens thickness and lens density in patients with mild to moderate cataracts
Authors: Henriquez Maria A , Mejías Josefina A , Rincon Mirel , Izquierdo Luis , Binder Perry S 
Published: January 2020

PurposeTo determine the relationships between lens thickness (LT), lens density and anterior segment parameters in patients with mild to moderate cataracts.SettingOftalmosalud Instituto de Ojos, Lima, Perú.DesignProspective, single-centre, cross-sectional study.Methods169 eyes with age-related mild to moderate cataracts had lens density assessed using the Lens Opacification Classification System III, the built-in Pentacam HR Nucleus Staging software and ImageJ software. LT and axial length (AL) were measured with the IOLMaster 700, and angle parameters were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Pearson correlation coefficients and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses.ResultsNuclear colour score was the only clinical parameter with a weak significant correlation with LT (r=0.24, p=0.003) after accounting for age, AL, gender and anterior chamber depth (ACD). The maximum value of average lens density and the mean nuclear density were significantly correlated with LT (r=0.24, p=0.003 and −0.17, p=0.03, respectively) after controlling for the same factors. Central LT greater than 4.48 mm was present in 54.5% of the eyes with a nuclear opalescence grade 1.ConclusionsLT is independent of lens density in mild to moderate cataracts after accounting for age, AL, ACD and gender contrary to previous studies.
Effect of a formulated eye drop with Leptospermum spp honey on tear film properties
Authors: Tan Jacqueline , Jia Tianni , Liao Roslyn , Stapleton Fiona 
Published: January 2020

AimTo evaluate the effects of a proprietary formulated eye drop with Leptospermum spp honey versus a conventional lubricant eye drop on tear film properties in subjects with symptoms related to dry eye disease after 28 days of treatment.MethodsForty-six subjects with symptoms related to dry eye (Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score >12) were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either the test formulated eye drop (Optimel by Melcare Biomedical Pty Ltd) or control eye drops (Alcon, USA) in this double-masked study. Inferior lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear film evaporation rate (TER), fluorescein tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining and subjective symptoms (OSDI and visual analogue scales (VAS)) were measured before and after 28 days of instilling the eye drops.ResultsForty-two subjects completed the study (21 subjects in each group). After 28 days of treatment, TER showed a significantly greater reduction with the formulated eye drop compared with the control (p=0.01). TBUT showed a slight but not statistically significant increase with the formulated eye drop compared with the control (p=0.06), and a significantly greater reduction (improvement) in OSDI scores was observed with the formulated eye drop compared with the control (p=0.01). No significant differences were found between the two groups for inferior LLT, corneal staining and any of the VAS scores.ConclusionsThe formulated eye drops were effective in reducing tear film evaporation rate and were more effective for improving symptoms of dry eye compared with the control eye drops after 28 days of treatment.Trial registration numberNCT03622619.
Major cardiac events for adult survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1999: report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort
Authors: Mulrooney Daniel A , Hyun Geehong , Ness Kirsten K , Ehrhardt Matthew J , Yasui Yutaka , Duprez Daniel , Howell Rebecca M , Leisenring Wendy M , Constine Louis S , Tonorezos Emily , Gibson Todd M , Robison Leslie L , Oeffinger Kevin C , Hudson Melissa M , Armstrong Gregory T 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the impact of modifications to contemporary cancer protocols, which minimize exposures to cardiotoxic treatments and preserve long term health, on serious cardiac outcomes among adult survivors of childhood cancer.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting27 institutions participating in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.Participants23 462 five year survivors (6193 (26.4%) treated in the 1970s, 9363 (39.9%) treated in the 1980s, and 7906 (33.6%) treated in the 1990s) of leukemia, brain cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, renal tumors, neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcomas, and bone sarcomas diagnosed prior to age 21 years between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 1999. Median age at diagnosis was 6.1 years (range 0-20.9) and 27.7 years (8.2-58.3) at last follow-up. A comparison group of 5057 siblings of cancer survivors were also included.Main outcome measuresCumulative incidence and 95% confidence intervals of reported heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, pericardial disease, and arrhythmias by treatment decade. Events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Multivariable subdistribution hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios by decade, and mediation analysis examined risks with and without exposure to cardiotoxic treatments.ResultsThe 20 year cumulative incidence of heart failure (0.69% for those treated in the 1970s, 0.74% for those treated in the 1980s, 0.54% for those treated in the 1990s) and coronary artery disease (0.38%, 0.24%, 0.19%, respectively), decreased in more recent eras (P<0.01), though not for valvular disease (0.06%, 0.06%, 0.05%), pericardial disease (0.04%, 0.02%, 0.03%), or arrhythmias (0.08%, 0.09%, 0.13%). Compared with survivors with a diagnosis in the 1970s, the risk of heart failure, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease decreased in the 1980s and 1990s but only significantly for coronary artery disease (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.92 and 0.53, 0.36 to 0.77, respectively). The overall risk of coronary artery disease was attenuated by adjustment for cardiac radiation (0.90, 0.78 to 1.05), particularly among survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (unadjusted for radiation: 0.77, 0.66 to 0.89; adjusted for radiation: 0.87, 0.69 to 1.10).ConclusionsHistorical reductions in exposure to cardiac radiation have been associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Additional follow-up is needed to investigate risk reductions for other cardiac outcomes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01120353.
Cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with diabetes mellitus and dementia: an open-cohort study of ~23 000 patients from the Swedish Dementia Registry
Authors: Secnik Juraj , Schwertner Emilia , Alvarsson Michael , Hammar Niklas , Fastbom Johan , Winblad Bengt , Garcia-Ptacek Sara , Religa Dorota , Eriksdotter Maria 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveCholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine are the only approved pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent literature suggests reductions in cardiovascular burden and risk of stroke in ChEI users. However, the clinical effectiveness of these drugs in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and dementia has not been evaluated.Research design and methodsWe conducted a registry-based open-cohort study of 22 660 patients diagnosed with AD and mixed-pathology dementia registered in the Swedish Dementia Registry until December 2015. Information on drug use, comorbidity and mortality was extracted using the linkage with the National Patient Registry, the Prescribed Drug Registry and the Cause of Death Registry. In total, 3176 (14%) patients with DM and 19 484 patients without DM were identified. Propensity-score matching, Cox-regression and competing-risk regression models were applied to produce HRs with 95% CIs for differences in all-cause, cardiovascular and diabetes-related mortality rates in ChEI users and non-users.ResultsAfter matching the ChEI use in patients with DM was associated with 24% all-cause mortality reduction (HR 0.76 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.86)), compared with 20% reduction (0.80 (0.75 to 0.84)) in non-DM users. Donepezil and galantamine use were associated with a reduced mortality in both patients with DM (0.84 (0.74 to 0.96); 0.80 (0.66 to 0.97)) and patients without DM (0.85 (0.80 to 0.90); 0.93 (0.86 to 0.99)). Donepezil was further associated with reduction in cardiovascular mortality, however only in patients without DM (0.84 (0.75 to 0.94)). Rivastigmine lowered mortality only in the whole-cohort analysis and in patients without DM (0.82 (0.75 to 0.89)). Moreover, ChEI use was associated with 48% reduction in diabetes-related mortality (HR 0.52 (0.32 to 0.87)) in the whole-cohort analysis. Last, low and high doses were associated with similar benefit.ConclusionsWe found reductions in mortality in patients with DM and AD or mixed-pathology dementia treated with ChEIs, specifically donepezil and galantamine were associated with largest benefit. Future studies should evaluate whether ChEIs help maintain self-management of diabetes in patients with dementia.
Oral propranolol for treatment of the subgroups of essential tremor: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Zhang Manyu , Li Wei , Hu Lan , Chen Li , Yang Liu , Zhang Tian , Shen Hui , Peng Yanan , Gao Shijun , Chen Zhibin , Wang Tan , Zhao Zhenqiang 
Published: January 2020

IntroductionEssential tremor (ET), a tremor disorder, is one of the most common movement disorders. Only oral drugs (propranolol, primidone, topiramate, etc）are still the first-line treatment recommended by the Food and Drug Administration. Propranolol is thought to potentially reduce upper limb action tremor. However, it has a poor effect on axial tremor symptoms, such as essential head tremor and voice tremor. Studies have shown that tremor severity develops over time, possibly producing other clinical tremors and neurological soft signs (such as memory loss, gait abnormalities, balance disorders, etc), which further increases the difficulty of treating tremors. However, some recent studies provide emerging evidence for oral propranolol on subgroups of ET, which is based on the anatomical distribution of ET (lower extremities, head, sound, tongue, etc). This systematic review aims to synthesise these new data to improve the efficacy of propranolol in ET subgroups.Methods and analysisWe will search for randomised controlled trials from the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, UptoDate and PEDro databases from inception to June 2019. All data will be extracted independently by two reviewers and compared at the end of the review. The two reviewers will screen the study quality, and the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool in Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3.3 will be used to evaluate risk of bias. Our primary outcome will be the functional disability component related to tremors, as measured by the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale subscales B and C. Secondary outcomes will include severity of tremors and quality of life. Narrative and meta-analytical syntheses are planned.Ethics and disseminationPublished aggregated data will be used in this review analysis and therefore no ethical approval is required. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and proliferation activities will include diverse social stakeholders, non-academic groups and patients.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018112580