bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sea-level inundation and risk assessment along the south and southwest coasts of Sri Lanka
Authors: Palamakumbure Lakshika , Ratnayake Amila Sandaruwan , Premasiri H. M. Ranjith , Ratnayake Nalin Prasanna , Katupotha Jinadasa , Dushyantha Nimila , Weththasinghe Shanaka , Weerakoon W. A. Panchala 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGlobal sea-level changes have been a major topic among scientists. Sea-level changes are not globally uniform. Reconstruction of paleo sea-level changes and monitoring of variations in regional sea-level are important to (i) evaluate future sea-level changes, and (ii) predict risk assessment. In this study, we examined sea-level inundation during the middle Holocene highstands based on paleo sea-level indicators along the south and southwest coasts of Sri Lanka. Besides, future sea-level inundation was predicted considering the calculated sea-level trends based on tidal gauge data and high-resolution surface elevation data. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is one of the most accurate optical remote sensing methods currently available to obtain high-resolution land surface elevation data. Therefore, in this study, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were prepared using LiDAR data for estimating the risk assessment in coastal lowlands. Tide gauge data of Colombo in Sri Lanka (from 2006 to 2017), Gan in the Maldives (from 1995 to 2017), and Hulhule in the Maldives (from 1995 to 2017) showed that sea-level has increased with a rate of 0.288 ± 0.118, 0.234 ± 0.025, and 0.368 ± 0.027 mm/month, respectively. DEMs based on LiDAR data suggested that south and southwest coasts are a risk of future sea-level inundation (height = 0.1–0.2 m during next 50 years and about 0.7 m in height during next 200 years, and distance = about 3.5–15.0 m from the present sea-level towards the inland). Consequently, it is important to consider future sea-level changes in disaster management and mitigation activities along the south and southwest coasts of Sri Lanka.
Promising anitidiabetic potential of Cuscuta reflexa leaves methanol extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Mostofa Ronia , Begum Rayhana , Wang Hongbin , Begum Mst. Marium , Karim Rubaba , Begum Taslima , Siddiquee Nur Alam , Sultana Rebeka , Sultana Sonia , Kabir A. K. Lutful , Alam Sumaiya , Nova Tasnuva Tasnim 
Published: May 2020

AbstractContextCuscuta reflexa(C. reflexa) Roxb. (Convolvulaceae) has medicinal properties for the effective management of several aliments including diabetes mellitus, inflammation, and gastric ulcer.ObjectiveThe present investigation focuses on the antidiabetic potential ofC. reflexaleaves methanol extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Materials and methodsThe antidiabetic activity ofC. reflexaleaves methanol extract (CRME) was evaluated using alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats. The duration of the study was 45 days. Diabetic model was developed by i.p. administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg). Ingestion of CRME (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day) and standard (gliclazide, 10 mg/kg/day) was done via oral route from the day of diabetes induction and continued up to 45 days. The effect of CRME was investigated by evaluating the blood glucose concentrations, HbA1C, insulin, lipid profile and liver function test. Further, the protective potentials of CRME were studied by histopathology of the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues from experimental rats.ResultsCRME showed significant (p < 0.01 at all doses) reduction of blood glucose level (137.1 ± 5.8, 125.9 ± 6.5, and 109.5 ± 5.4 mg/dL at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) as compared to the diabetic control (249.7 ± 7.3 mg/dL). Moreover, CRME at the highest dose decreased HbA1Cand improved insulin levels (3.96% and 11 ng/ml, respectively) when compared with diabetic control group (7.55% and 6.5 ng/ml, respectively). CRME also revealed pronounced improvement in liver function test and lipid profile test when compared to the diabetic control. Furthermore, CRME notably reversed the histopathological changes that observed in alloxan-induced diabetes.ConclusionOur research exertion clearly demonstrates that CRME can be explored as a substantial antidiabetic and organ protective agent in the management of diabetes.
Epilepsy control during an epidemic: emerging approaches and a new management framework
Authors: Chen Deng , Zhu Lina , Lin Xin , Hong Zhen , Li Shichuo , Liu Ling , Zhou Dong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEpidemics are a big threat to world health. The ongoing pandemic of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a series of challenges to public health. One such challenge is the management of chronic diseases such as epilepsy during an epidemic event. Studies on this topic are rather limited and the related medical practice is full of uncertainty. Here we review recent development of potential approaches for epilepsy control during an epidemic and propose a new three-level management framework to address these challenges.
Modelling and optimization studies on decolorization of brilliant green dye using integrated nanofiltration and photocatalysis
Authors: Donkadokula Naresh Yadav , Kola Anand Kishore , Saroj Devendra 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe current work explores the treatment of dye wastewater using the combination of photocatalysis and ceramic nanofiltration process. Commercial ceramic membrane and titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst were used in this study to investigate the removal of Brilliant Green (BG) dye from the synthetic dye wastewater solution. The effect of various operating parameters on dye decolorization and total organic carbon removal were investigated. The operating parameters (pH, catalyst loading and time duration) were optimized using an experimental design model namely Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The use of experimental design by RSM resulted in the improvement of dye decolorization at optimum conditions. In addition to these operating parameters, the trend of initial dye concentration and the influence of catalyst loading on permeate flux was also studied. Around 99% of decolorization was obtained by the hybrid system at 500 mg L− 1 of dye concentration, 1 g L− 1 of TiO2 dosage, pH of 4.2 and 90 min. The integrated system i.e. photocatalytic reactor with nanofiltration membrane has shown complete removal of BG dye compared to individual systems. From the present study, it can be concluded that this integrated system is one of the efficient methods for dye treatment.
Perineal canal repair using modified Tsuchida’s technique
Authors: Manjiri S. , Shetty Jeevak , Padmalatha S. K. , Luthra Kush , Patil Neehar 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
The perineal canal is a rare variety of anorectal malformations, identified by different nomenclatures like H fistula, double termination of the alimentary canal, and anovestibular fistula. Various approaches to repair this anomaly have been proposed.
The present study aimed to review the results of perineal canal repair with modified Tsuchida’s technique, in seven girls treated in our unit between 2014 and 2019. These were classified as acquired and congenital type of perineal canal, depending upon their clinical presentations.

Results
Of the total seven cases, it was found that three of them had a perineal abscess and persistent anovestibular fistula formation, and they underwent definitive repair of the perineal canal after 12 weeks as they did not respond to the conservative management. Four girls had congenital anovestibular fistula without infection. All the patients underwent covering colostomy and definitive repair by modified Tsuchida’s technique. One patient had a recurrence of the fistula, due to early closure of colostomy and underwent redo repair. One patient with known immune deficiency died before colostomy closure due to severe sepsis. During the last follow-up, all six girls were continent (Kelly’s score 6/6), and the perineum had healed well.

Conclusion
The perineal canal can be acquired or congenital. Irrespective of its etiology, modified Tsuchida’s technique has been found to be an easy and satisfactory method of its repair.
The Evolution of Insulin and How it Informs Therapy and Treatment Choices
Authors: Hirsch Irl B , Juneja Rattan , Beals John M , Antalis Caryl J , Wright Eugene E 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInsulin has been available for the treatment of diabetes for almost a century, and the variety of insulin choices today represents many years of discovery and innovation. Insulin has gone from poorly defined extracts of animal pancreata to pure and precisely controlled formulations that can be prescribed and administered with high accuracy and predictability of action. Modifications of the insulin formulation and of the insulin molecule itself have made it possible to approximate the natural endogenous insulin response. Insulin and insulin formulations had to be designed to produce either a constant low basal level of insulin or the spikes of insulin released in response to meals. We discuss how the biochemical properties of endogenous insulin were exploited to either shorten or extend the time-action profiles of injectable insulins by varying the pharmacokinetics (time for appearance of insulin in the blood after injection) and pharmacodynamics (time-dependent changes in blood sugar after injection). This has resulted in rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulins, as well as mixtures and concentrated formulations. An understanding of how various insulins and formulations were designed to solve the challenges of insulin replacement will assist clinicians in meeting the needs of their individual patients.
Muscle–Organ Crosstalk: The Emerging Roles of Myokines
Authors: Severinsen Mai Charlotte Krogh , Pedersen Bente Klarlund 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Physical activity decreases the risk of a network of diseases, and exercise may be prescribed as medicine for lifestyle-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. During the past couple of decades, it has been apparent that skeletal muscle works as an endocrine organ, which can produce and secrete hundreds of myokines that exert their effects in either autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manners. Recent advances show that skeletal muscle produces myokines in response to exercise, which allow for crosstalk between the muscle and other organs, including brain, adipose tissue, bone, liver, gut, pancreas, vascular bed, and skin, as well as communication within the muscle itself. Although only few myokines have been allocated to a specific function in humans, it has been identified that the biological roles of myokines include effects on, for example, cognition, lipid and glucose metabolism, browning of white fat, bone formation, endothelial cell function, hypertrophy, skin structure, and tumor growth. This suggests that myokines may be useful biomarkers for monitoring exercise prescription for people with, for example, cancer, diabetes, or neurodegenerative diseases.
Learning to make informed health choices: Protocol for a pilot study in schools in Barcelona
Authors: Martínez García Laura , Alonso-Coello Pablo , Asso Ministral Laia , Ballesté-Delpierre Clara , Canelo Aybar Carlos , de Britos Carol , Fernández Rodríguez Ana , Gallego Iborra Ana , Leo Rosas Victoria , Llaquet Paloma , Niño de Guzmán Quispe Ena Pery , Pérez-Gaxiola Giordano , Requeijo Carolina , Salas-Gama Karla , Samsó Jofra Laura , Terres Jordi , Urreta Iratxe , Rosenbaum Sarah 
Published: May 2020

Introduction: The Informed Health Choices (IHC) project has developed learning resources to teach primary school children (10 to 12-year-olds) to assess treatment claims and make informed health choices. The aim of our study is to explore both the students’ and teachers’ experience when using these resources in the context of Barcelona (Spain). Methods: During the 2019-2020 school year, we will conduct a pilot study with 4 th and 5 th-year primary school students (9 to 11-year-olds) from three schools in Barcelona. The intervention in the schools will include: 1) assessment of the IHC resources by the teachers before the lessons, 2) non-participatory observations during the lessons, 3) semi-structured interviews with the students after a lesson, 4) assessment of the lessons by the teachers after a lesson, 5) treatment claim assessment by the students at the end of the lessons, and 6) assessment of the IHC resources by the teachers at the end of the lessons. We will use ad hoc questionnaires and guides to register the data. We will perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data to explore understandability, desirability, suitability, usefulness, facilitators and barriers of the resources. The most relevant results will be discussed and some recommendations on how to use, how to adapt (if needed), and how to implement the IHC resources to this context will be agreed. The findings of the contextualization activities could inform the design of a cluster-randomised trial, to determine the effectiveness of the IHC resources in this context prior to scaling-up its use. Ethical considerations: The study protocol has obtained an approval exemption from the Ethics Committee of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Barcelona, Spain).
No evidence for Ago2 translocation from the host erythrocyte into the Plasmodium parasite
Authors: Hentzschel Franziska , Obrova Klara , Marti Matthias 
Published: May 2020

Background: Plasmodium parasites rely on various host factors to grow and replicate within red blood cells (RBC). While many host proteins are known that mediate parasite adhesion and invasion, few examples of host enzymes co-opted by the parasite during intracellular development have been described. Recent studies suggested that the host protein Argonaute 2 (Ago2), which is involved in RNA interference, can translocate into the parasite and affect its development. Here, we investigated this hypothesis. Methods: We used several different monoclonal antibodies to test for Ago2 localisation in the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum and rodent P. berghei parasites. In addition, we biochemically fractionated infected red blood cells to localize Ago2. We also quantified parasite growth and sexual commitment in the presence of the Ago2 inhibitor BCI-137. Results: Ago2 localization by fluorescence microscopy produced inconclusive results across the three different antibodies, suggesting cross-reactivity with parasite targets. Biochemical separation of parasite and RBC cytoplasm detected Ago2 only in the RBC cytoplasm and not in the parasite. Inhibition of Ago2 using BCl-137 did not result in altered parasite development. Conclusion: Ago2 localization in infected RBCs by microscopy is confounded by non-specific binding of antibodies. Complementary results using biochemical fractionation and Ago2 detection by western blot did not detect the protein in the parasite cytosol, and growth assays using a specific inhibitor demonstrated that its catalytical activity is not required for parasite development. We therefore conclude that previous data localising Ago2 to parasite ring stages are due to antibody cross reactivity, and that Ago2 is not required for intracellular Plasmodium development.
A Primal-Dual Approach to Analyzing ATO Systems
Authors: DeValve Levi , Pekeč Saša , Wei Yehua 
Published: May 2020

We study assemble-to-order (ATO) problems from the literature. ATO problems with general structure and integrality constraints are well known to be difficult to solve, and we provide new insight into these issues by establishing worst-case approximation guarantees through primal-dual analyses and linear programming (LP) rounding. First, we relax the one-period ATO problem using a natural newsvendor decomposition and use the dual solution for the relaxation to derive a lower bound on optimal cost, providing a tight approximation guarantee that grows with the maximum product size in the system. Then, we present an LP rounding algorithm that achieves both asymptotic optimality as demand grows large, and a 1.8 approximation factor for any problem instance. In addition to theoretical guarantees, we perform comprehensive numerical simulations and find that our rounding algorithm outperforms existing techniques and is close to optimal. Finally, we demonstrate that our one-period LP rounding results can be used to develop an asymptotically optimal integral policy for dynamic ATO problems with backlogging and identical component lead-times. This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
Bench-Scale Pig Buildings: Validation of a Model for Studying Airborne Contaminants of Concern for Human and Animal Health
Authors: Létourneau Valérie , Duchaine Caroline , Belzile Martin , Girard Matthieu , Lemay Stéphane P. , Godbout Stéphane 
Published: May 2020

HighlightsBench-scale pig buildings are suitable for studying airborne contaminants of commercial pig buildings.Multi-replicate designed experiments are possible using bench-scale pig buildings (experimental chambers).Strategies to reduce airborne contaminants may be developed in a timely and cost-effective way using the chambers.Abstract. Pig buildings produce and emit large amounts of airborne contaminants into the environment. Odors, gases, dust, and bioaerosols are responsible for the emergence of infectious, toxic, and inflammatory diseases diagnosed in animals, workers, and surrounding communities. There is therefore a need for better characterization and mitigation of airborne contaminants in commercial pig buildings. Bench-scale pig buildings could be used for the development and evaluation of reduction strategies for airborne contaminants in a timely and cost-effective manner before scaling them up for commercial use. Six bench-scale pig buildings were designed for growing animals (commercial diet and fully slatted concrete floor) and for producing odors, gases, dust, and bioaerosols from various sources (e.g., feed, manure) and animal activities. The validation of the six identical, environmentally controlled, independently ventilated and sealed bench-scale pig buildings (7.1 m3, 42 air changes per hour) is reported here. The validation implied inter-building and longitudinal (between week) comparisons of concentrations of airborne contaminants. Environmental conditions, methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH3), and airborne microorganisms (total bacteria and archaea, Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus spp., and Escherichia coli) were monitored for seven weeks in the six bench-scale pig buildings. The experiment was repeated three times. From week to week, data analysis showed that environmental conditions, gases, odors, and airborne microbial concentrations were non-statistically different between buildings. By the end of the seven-week experiment, concentrations of N2O, NH3, Enterococcus, E. coli, and archaea were higher than during week 1 in all buildings (p &lt; 0.05). Airborne gases, odors, and microbial concentrations were equivalent to those found during the Canadian summer in commercial finishing pig buildings. In conclusion, the designed bench-scale pig buildings may serve for multi-replicate experiments and for studying airborne contaminants found in commercial pig buildings. Keywords: Airborne contaminant, Bioaerosols, Dust, Gas, Odor, Pig building.
Comparative Study of Rape Straw Cutting with Two Drum Cutting Assemblies
Authors: Bochat Andrzej , Zastempowski Marcin 
Published: May 2020

HighlightsThis article presents test results of a new cutting drum design for an agricultural forage harvester.The energy consumption in the cutting process of rape decreased with increasing speed and cutting angle.Cutting the plant material layers with the new design of the cutting drum is more efficient and productive.Cross-cutting of plant material into chopped straw is an important alternative to the currently used cutting method.Abstract. A comparative study of the classic design and a new design for the drum cutting assembly of a chaff cutter was conducted to determine the performance characteristics of both designs when cutting rape straw into defined lengths. The new design of the cutting drum made oblique cutting possible, which was not possible with the classic design. For assessment of the cutting process, two indicators were used: the effectiveness of the cutting process, and the unit energy consumption during the cutting process. The experimental results showed that the new design of the cutting drum resulted in a considerable increase in the effectiveness of cutting plant material into pieces, as compared to the classic design. Keywords: Chaff cutter, Cutting drum, Cutting of material layers, Cutting process effectiveness, Plant material.
Broadband second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation with a long-wave
infrared laser in AgGaGe5Se12
Authors: Chen Yi , Yao Baoquan , Wu Haixin , Ni Youbao , Liu Gaoyou , Dai Tongyu , Duan Xiaoming , Ju Youlun 
Published: May 2020

Using an 8 µm long-wave infrared laser as the fundamental wave, we
achieved second-harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation
simultaneously in

A
g
G
a
G
e

5

S
e

12

and obtained a 4 µm laser output.
Among them, SHG was achieved in the 173 nm spectral range of the
fundamental wave, which was consistent with theoretical calculations.
The average power of the obtained 4 µm laser was 41 mW, corresponding
to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 3.2%. The measured
temperature acceptance bandwidth (

L
δ
T

) (FWHM) was 50 K·cm; the angular
acceptance bandwidth (

L
δ
θ

) (FWHM) was 13.3 mrad·cm; and the
average absorption coefficient in the wavelength range of
0.86–11.30 µm was

0.07

c
m

−
1

. In addition, the spectral acceptance
bandwidth (

L
δ
λ

) of fundamental wave in

A
g
G
a
G
e

5

S
e

12

SHG and the spectral gain bandwidth
of frequency downconversion in

A
g
G
a
G
e

5

S
e

12

were calculated. In view of the small
absorption coefficient, the large temperature acceptance bandwidth,
and the large spectral gain bandwidth, we conclude that

A
g
G
a
G
e

5

S
e

12

is a suitable nonlinear crystal for
high-power short/mid/long-wave infrared lasers and frequency
conversions of nanosecond-femtosecond infrared lasers. These results
are conducive to the further development of

A
g
G
a
G
e

5

S
e

12

lasers.
Extending epipolar geometry for real-time structured light illumination
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhang Kangkang , Wei Jinghe , Song Jianwen , Lau Daniel L. , Zhu Ce , Xu Bin 
Published: May 2020

Structured light illumination, scanning along both horizontal and vertical directions, achieves more robust accuracy. By introducing the constraint of epipolar geometry, we previously proposed real-time 3D reconstruction using lookup tables; however, we only knew these offline derived tables were the combinations of the elements in calibration matrices of a camera and a projector, and suffered from long-time computation. In this Letter, by parameterizing the line perspectively mapping a 3D world coordinate into the camera and projector spaces, we propose to extend the epipolar analysis by defining phase and optical poles. Thus, we can geometrically address these parameters via analytic closed-form equations, with which we can (1) directly derive lookup tables in real time from the calibration matrices and (2) optimally reduce the number of tables from 11 to 5 to save much more memory space while further accelerating the processing rate. Experiments show that with the same level of accuracy, we significantly reduce the time to compute the lookup tables from more than 20 min to 20 ms, and increase the speed of computing point clouds from approximately 320 to 492 fps.