bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introducing 1,3‐beta‐d‐glucan for screening and diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases in Australian high‐risk haematology patients: is there a clinical benefit?
Authors: Garnham Katherine , Halliday Catriona L. , Rai Neela J. , Jayawardena Menuk , Hasan Tasnim , Kok Jen , Nayyar Vineet , Gottlieb David J. , Gilroy Nicole M. , Chen Sharon C.‐A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundEarly, accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) improves clinical outcomes. 1,3‐beta‐d‐glucan (BDG) (Fungitell, Associates of Cape Cod, Inc., Falmouth, MA, USA) detection can improve IFD diagnosis but has been unavailable in Australia.AimsTo assess performance of serum BDG for IFD diagnosis in a high‐risk Australian haematology population.MethodsWe compared the diagnostic value of weekly screening of serum BDG with screening by Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction and Aspergillus galactomannan in 57 at‐risk episodes for the diagnosis of IFD (proven, probable, possible IFD).ResultsIFD episodes were: proven (n = 4); probable (n = 4); possible (n = 18); and no IFD (n = 31). Using two consecutive BDG results of ≥80 pg/mL to call a result ‘positive’, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 37.5%, 64.5%, 23.1% and 80.7% respectively. For invasive aspergillosis, test performance increased to 50%, 90.3%, 57.1% and 87.5% respectively if any two of serum BDG/Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction/galactomannan yielded a ‘positive’ result. In proven/probable IFD, five of eight episodes returned a positive BDG result earlier (mean 6.6 days) than other diagnostic tests. False‐negative BDG results occurred in three of eight episodes of proven/probable IFD, and false positive in 10 of 31 patients with no IFD. Erratic patterns of BDG values predicted false positive results (P = 0.03). Using serum BDG results, possible IFD were reassigned to either ‘no’ or ‘probable’ IFD in 44% cases. Empiric anti‐fungal therapy use may have been optimised by BDG monitoring in 38.5% of courses.ConclusionsThe BDG assay can add diagnostic speed and value but was hampered by low sensitivity and positive predictive value in Australian haematology patients.
Healthcare workers in Singapore infected with COVID‐19: 23 January‐17 April 2020
Authors: Wong Lai Yin , Tan Aidan Lyanzhiang , Leo Yee‐Sin , Lee Vernon Jian Ming , Toh Matthias Paul Han Sim 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the characteristics of healthcare workers (HCWs) infected with COVID‐19 and to examine their sources of exposure.MethodsA descriptive cross‐sectional study using data extracted from the centralized disease notification system comprising individuals confirmed with COVID‐19 in Singapore between 23 January and 17 April 2020. Occupation of HCWs was categorized into six categories. Their job nature was classified into “frontline” or “back‐end” based on the frequency of direct patient contact, and source of exposure was classified as family/household, social interaction or workplace. Chi‐square and median tests were used to identify differences between categorical groups and sample medians, respectively.ResultsA total of 88 (1.7%) HCWs were identified from 5,050 cases. Their median age was 35 years. Chinese and Indians constituted 42.0% and 31.8%, respectively, and 43.2% were foreigners. The majority (63.6%) was serving at frontlines handling patient‐facing duties, 15.9% were doctors, 11.4% were nurses and 44.3% were ancillary staff. About 81.8% acquired the infection locally, of which 40.3% did not have a clearly identifiable source of exposure. Exposure from the family/household was most common (27.8%), followed by workplace (16.7%) and social interaction (15.3%). All HCWs were discharged well with no mortality; three (3.4%) were ever admitted to intensive care unit and required increased care.ConclusionHealthcare workers accounted for a small proportion of COVID‐19 cases in Singapore with favourable outcomes. The possibility of transmission resulting from family/household exposure and social interactions highlights the need to maintain strict vigilance and precautionary measures at all times beyond the workplace.
Analysis of SiC/SiC composites for energy applications at ambient conditions
Authors: Bumgardner Clifton H. , Heim Frederick M. , Roache David C. , Jarama Alex , Price Morgan C. , Deck Christian P. , Li Xiaodong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPlain weave planar and biaxially braided tubular SiC/SiC CMCs are evaluated in tension and four‐point bending, respectively, at ambient conditions. Custom‐designed fixtures for CMC testing are developed for each loading mode and are coupled with three‐dimensional digital image correlation. Stereoscopic image correlation analysis reveals crack initiation and failure sites to provide insight into stress redistribution mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy is performed postmortem to determine the influence of microstructural features on crack initiation and failure. Crack spacing is measured in situ by stereoscopic image correlation and confirmed by SEM measurements to relate to underlying tow‐tow crossing points. Triangulated surface heights of plain weave tow architecture are used to determine that subtle differences in neighboring transverse tow angle, which vary within a range of ±4° from horizontal, have no significant effect on final fracture location. The results presented reaffirm the state of current SiC/SiC CMCs developed for energy applications and will help to further improve SiC/SiC and other CMCs.
Annealing effects on the structure and hardness of helium‐irradiated Cr2AlC thin films
Authors: Wang Chunjie , Tu Hanjun , Su Ranran , Gao Jie , King B. V. , O'Connor D. J. , Shi Liqun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCr2AlC MAX phase thin films prepared by radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering were irradiated at room temperature by 100 keV helium ions to a fluence of 1 × 1017 ions cm−2. The effects of thermal annealing on the structural and mechanical properties of the helium‐irradiated Cr2AlC films as well as the helium release were investigated by grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in combination with nano‐indentation and elastic recoil detection (ERD) analysis. The irradiation‐induced structural damage in the Cr2AlC is significantly recovered by thermal annealing at temperatures around 600℃, attributed to high defect diffusivity. After annealing to 750℃, the hardness of irradiated films recovered almost completely, which is ascribes to both defect recombination and reformation of damaged chemical bonds. Substantial helium release occurring at this annealing temperature is closely related to the damage recovery due to helium irradiation.
Effect of alkalis on enforced carbonation of cement paste: Mechanism of reaction
Authors: Zajac Maciej , Skibsted Jørgen , Ben Haha Mohsen 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the present research, an alternative approach to produce supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) based on the carbon capture and utilization is developed. The approach focuses on enforced carbonation of cement pastes obtained from recycled concrete and its application as SCM. This work focuses on the effect of alkalis in the starting solution on the carbonation mechanism of ground hydrated cement pastes in a wet reactor. The enforced carbonation of cement paste is a rapid process at ambient temperature and pressure being close to complete reaction within a few hours of carbonation, independently on alkali concentration. However, alkalis have a complex impact on the carbonation reaction as they accelerate the initial stages of the carbonation reaction, while the kinetics of the middle stages is retarded. The final degree of carbonation is only slightly affected by the alkali concentration in the solution. The origin of these effects can be explained by relating them to the evolution of solid and solution properties. Additionally, the alkali concentration has an impact on the morphology of the main carbonation products, that is, calcite and the alumina‐silica gel.
Temperature and processing effects on lithium ion conductivity of solution‐deposited lithium zirconium phosphate (LiZr2P3O12) thin films
Authors: Brummel Ian A. , Drury Daniel E. , Kitahara Andrew R. , El Gabaly Farid , Ihlefeld Jon F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLithium zirconium phosphate (LiZr2P3O12) thin films have been prepared on platinized silicon substrates via a chemical solution deposition approach with processing temperatures between 700°C and 775°C. Films that were subject to a single high‐temperature anneal were found to crystallize at temperatures above 725°C. Crystallization was observed in films annealed after each deposited layer at 700°C and above. In both cases, grain size was found to increase with annealing temperature. Ion conductivity was found to increase with annealing temperature in singly annealed films. In per‐layer annealed films ion conductivity was found to initially increase then decrease with increasing annealing temperature. A maximum ion conductivity of 1.6 × 10−6 S/cm was observed for the singly annealed 775°C condition, while a maximum ion conductivity of 5.8 × 10−7 S/cm was observed for the 725°C per‐layer annealed condition. These results are consistent with an increasing influence of cross‐plane, internal interface resistance and vapor phase carrier loss in the per‐layer annealed samples. This work demonstrates that post‐deposition processing methods can strongly affect the ion conducting properties of LiZr2P3O12 thin films.
Experiences and needs of direct support staff working with people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A thematic analysis
Authors: Embregts Petri J. C. M. , Tournier Tess , Frielink Noud 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of direct support staff during the initial stage of the COVID‐19 lockdown in the Netherlands.MethodOverall, eleven direct support staff were recruited from five intellectual disability services to participate in this descriptive qualitative study. They recorded 34 audio messages during the considered period. Thematic analysis was used to analyse these audio recordings.ResultsFour themes emerged: (1) Emotional impact, which pertained to various emotions they experienced in their work; (2) Cognitive impact, which referred to challenges and changes they had undergone in their work; (3) Practical impact, which centred on the practical impact of the pandemic on their work; and (4) Professional impact, which concerned their experiences with other professionals.ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into the experiences and needs of direct support staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which, in turn, can help inform practice in preparation for a second wave of COVID‐19 or another future pandemic.
Comparison of object‐oriented and robot programming activities: The effects of programming modality on student achievement, abstraction, problem solving, and motivation
Authors: Çınar Murat , Tüzün Hakan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study compares the effects of object‐oriented and robot programming activities on programming achievement, abstraction, problem solving, and motivation. In the study, two consecutive experimental cases were conducted to examine the consistency of findings. The research sample comprises 81 tenth‐grade students undergoing vocational secondary education. A total of 41 students participated in the first case that spanned 12 weeks, and 40 students participated in the second that spanned 8 weeks. After computational activities, the programming achievement scores significantly increased in all test groups. However, the achievement scores did not differ significantly between the groups. For the comparison groups, there was no statistically significant difference in the pre‐ and posttest scores of the formal and descriptive abstraction in both cases. However, a statistically significant increase was found in the formal (only Case 2) and descriptive abstraction scores of the students in the experimental groups. The abstraction results revealed a significant difference in the descriptive abstraction scores of Case 2 in favour of the experimental group. No statistically significant difference was found in the problem‐solving scores within or between groups. In both cases, the motivation scores of the experimental groups were found to be statistically higher than those of the comparison groups.
Trends in reported industry payments to physicians practicing cardiac electrophysiology from 2013 to 2018 in the United States
Authors: Tseng Andrew S. , Hu Tiffany Y. , Lee Justin Z. , Amin Mustapha , Vaidya Vaibhav , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , Madhavan Malini , Cha Yong‐Mei , Asirvatham Samuel J. , Mulpuru Siva K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe need for transparency in financial relationships in the healthcare system, has culminated in Open Payments database, managed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Since its inception in 2013, the trend in such payments to physicians practicing cardiac electrophysiology was not examined.Methods and ResultsPayment information reported to CMS from January 2013 to December 2018 was obtained from the publicly available Open Payments data set using the online query tool. The data were analyzed by an individual provider and by state. An in‐depth analysis of payments in the year 2018 payments was performed. From 2014 to 2018, there was an 18% increase in the total number of payments reported from 88 877 payments in 2014 to 105 000 in 2018. Despite the increase in the total number of payments reported, the average payment steadily decreased over time, resulting in an overall reduction in the total amount of payments from 2014 to 2018 ($34.9 million to $28.2 million). Payments to the top 5% of individual recipients have also decreased over this time. In 2018, 2888 unique providers received reportable payments, a total of 105 000 payments, with a median payment amount of $1378 (interquartile range: $165–$5781). The majority of these payments were for food and beverage (82%) and travel/lodging (10%). The top five payers include Boston Scientific, Medtronic Vascular, Abbott Laboratories, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Biotronik.ConclusionAmong cardiac electrophysiologists, there is increased reporting of payments in the Open Payments program over time, with a notable decrease in the payment amount.
NF‐YA promotes the cell proliferation and tumorigenic properties by transcriptional activation of SOX2 in cervical cancer
Authors: Yang Wen‐Ting , Feng Qian , Ma Hong‐Mei , Lei Dan , Zheng Peng‐Sheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNF‐YA is considered as a crucial regulator for the maintenance of cancer stem cell (CSC) and involved in various types of malignant tumours. However, the exact function and molecular mechanisms of NF‐YA in the progression of cervical cancer remains poorly understood. Here, the expression of NF‐YA detected by immunohistochemistry was gradually increased from normal cervical tissues, to the high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and then to cervical cancer tissues. NF‐YA promoted the cell proliferation and tumorigenic properties of cervical cancer cells as well as tumorsphere formation and chemoresistance in vitro. The luciferase reporter assay combined with mutagenesis analyses and Western blotting showed that NF‐YA trans‐activated the expression of SOX2 in cervical cancer. Furthermore, quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (qChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed that NF‐YA protein directly bound to the CCAAT box region located upstream of the SOX2 promoter. Together, our data demonstrated that NF‐YA was highly expressed in cervical cancer and promoted the cell proliferation, tumorigenicity and CSC characteristic by trans‐activating the expression of SOX2.
Inhibition of ferroptosis protects House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 cells and cochlear hair cells from cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity
Authors: Mei Honglin , Zhao Liping , Li Wen , Zheng Zhiwei , Tang Dongmei , Lu Xiaoling , He Yingzi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFerroptosis is a recently recognized form of non‐apoptotic cell death caused by an iron‐dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides, which plays important roles in a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. The present study was aimed to investigate the impact of ferroptosis on cisplatin‐induced sensory hair cell damage. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 and lactase dehydrogenase assays. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by 2,7‐Dichlorodi‐hydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH‐DA) and MitoSox‐Red staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) staining. Lipid peroxidation, intracellular and mitochondrial iron were detected by Liperfluo, C11‐BODIPY581/591, FerroOrange and Mito‐FerroGreen, respectively. We found that cisplatin treatment not only markedly augmented ROS accumulation, decreased the MMP, but increased lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation in House Ear Institute‐Organ of Corti 1 (HEI‐OC1) cells. Of note, treatment with the specific ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin‐1 could effectively abrogate the cisplatin‐induced toxicity and subsequent cell death. Specifically, the improvement of mitochondrial functions is important mechanisms for protective action of ferroptosis inhibitor against cisplatin‐induced damages in HEI‐OC1 cells. Moreover, inhibition of ferroptosis significantly protected murine cochlear hair cells against cisplatin damage. In addition, treatment murine cochlear hair cells with ferroptosis inducer, RSL3, significantly exacerbated cisplatin‐induced damage, which could be alleviated by ROS inhibitor N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine. Collectively, our study indicated that ferroptosis inhibition could alleviate the cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity via inactivation of lipid peroxide radical and improvement of mitochondrial function in hair cells.
Involvement of kindlin‐2 in irisin’s protection against ischaemia reperfusion‐induced liver injury in high‐fat diet‐fed mice
Authors: Zhang Jia , Ren Yifan , Bi Jianbin , Wang Mengzhou , Zhang Lin , Wang Tao , Wei Shasha , Mou Xingyi , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLiver steatosis is associated with increased ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our previous studies have shown that irisin, an exercise‐induced hormone, mitigates I/R injury via binding to αVβ5 integrin. However, the effect of irisin on I/R injury in steatotic liver remains unknown. Kindlin‐2 directly interacts with β integrin. We therefore suggest that irisin protects against I/R injury in steatotic liver via a kindlin‐2 dependent mechanism. To study this, hepatic steatosis was induced in male adult mice by feeding them with a 60% high‐fat diet (HFD). At 12 weeks after HFD feeding, the mice were subjected to liver ischaemia by occluding partial (70%) hepatic arterial/portal venous blood for 60 minutes, which was followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Our results showed HFD exaggerated I/R‐induced liver injury. Irisin (250 μg/kg) administration at the beginning of reperfusion attenuated liver injury, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in HFD‐fed mice. However, kindlin‐2 inhibition by RNAi eliminated irisin's direct effects on cultured hepatocytes. In conclusion, irisin attenuates I/R injury in steatotic liver via a kindlin‐2 dependent mechanism.
The effect of immediate implant placement on alveolar ridge preservation compared to spontaneous healing after tooth extraction: Soft tissue findings from a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Clementini Marco , Castelluzzo Walter , Ciaravino Vincenzo , Agostinelli Agnese , Vignoletti Fabio , Ambrosi Alessandro , De Sanctis Massimo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimTo compare soft tissue dimensional changes and relative differences in soft and hard tissue volumes 4 months after single‐tooth extraction and three different treatment modalities: spontaneous healing (SH) and alveolar ridge preservation by means of a deproteinized bovine bone mineral and a collagen matrix, with (IMPL/DBBM/CM) or without (DBBM/CM) immediate implant placement.Materials and MethodsSTL files from study casts obtained at baseline and after 4 months were matched to calculate buccal soft tissue linear and volumetric changes. DICOM files from CBCTs were superimposed to STL files allowing the evaluation of soft tissue thickness at baseline and 4 months.ResultsMean horizontal reduction accounted for 1.46 ± 0.20 (SH), 0.85 ± 0.38 (DBBM‐CM) and 0.84 ± 0.30 IMPL/DBBM‐CM, with no statistical differences. Soft tissue thickness had a significant mean increase of 0.95 for SH group, compared to a non‐significant mean decrease for DBBM‐CM (0.20) and IMPL/DBBM‐CM groups (0.07).ConclusionA preservation technique with DBBM‐CM, with or without immediate implant placement, did not reduce the horizontal linear and volumetric changes at the buccal soft tissue profile significantly at 4 months after tooth extraction when compared to spontaneous healing. This is due to a significant increase in soft tissue thickness in spontaneously healing sites.
Annual Research Review: Reading disorders revisited – the critical importance of oral language
Authors: Snowling Margaret J. , Hulme Charles 
Published: September 2020

This paper discusses research on reading disorders during the period since their classification within the overarching category of neurodevelopmental disorders (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53, 2012, 593). Following a review of the predictors of learning to read across languages, and the role of language skills as critical foundations for literacy, profiles of reading disorders are discussed and putative causal risk factors at the cognitive, biological, and environmental levels of explanation considered. Reading disorders are highly heritable and highly comorbid with disorders of language, attention, and other learning disorders, notably mathematics disorders. The home literacy environment, reflecting gene‐environment correlation, is one of several factors that promote reading development and highlight an important target for intervention. The multiple deficit view of dyslexia (Cognition, 101, 2006, 385) suggests that risks accumulate to a diagnostic threshold although categorical diagnoses tend to be unstable. Implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.