bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil erosion and sediment dynamics in the Anthropocene: a review of human impacts during a period of rapid global environmental change
Authors: Owens Philip N. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPurposeHumanity has been modifying the planet in a measurable way for thousands of years. Recently, this influence has been such that some feel we are in a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. This review will describe how soil erosion and sediment dynamics have (i) been used to assess the impact of humans on the planet and (ii) affected the global climate and influenced water security. Emphasis is placed on changes since the middle of the twentieth century, as this coincides with what many suggest is the start of the Anthropocene Epoch.Results and discussionThe use of sediment archives has been instrumental in our understanding of how environmental systems have developed over time, both naturally and in response to anthropogenic activities. Additional information has come from measurement and monitoring programs, and tracing and fingerprinting studies. In turn, models have been developed that enable forecasting. Some of the main global impacts of enhanced soil erosion and changes in sediment dynamics and sediment composition include: changes in radiative energy balances and impacts on the cryosphere; the global carbon cycle; and greenhouse gas emissions. Impacts on water security include: effects on freshwater biota, including wild salmon populations; fluxes of contaminants, including microplastics; and reservoir and river channel sedimentation, including flooding. Sediment archives and monitoring programs have also been used to document the effect of mitigation measures and environmental policies.ConclusionSediment archives enable us to assemble information over a variety of timescales (i.e., 100to 105 years and longer) and a range of spatial scales (from sub-watershed to continental), in addition to environments ranging from arid to tropical to polar. Often the temporal resolution is better than other paleoenvironmental reconstruction approaches. As such, sedimentary records, when combined with measurement and monitoring approaches and other sources of information, have enabled us to determine changes in atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic systems, especially over the last 100 years. While soil erosion and sediment dynamics have provided a wealth of information and greatly enhanced our understanding of the role of humanity in modifying the planet, suggestions are given for further research.
The Efficacy of Telehealth for the Treatment of Spinal Disorders: Patient-Reported Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shafi Karim , Lovecchio Francis , Forston Katherine , Wyss James , Casey Ellen , Press Joel , Creighton Andrew , Sandhu Harvinder , Iyer Sravisht 
Published: November 2020

Background The use of telehealth saw a rapid surge during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. There remains little data on how effectively telehealth replicates traditional office visits in the treatment of spinal disorders and how telehealth is perceived by patients with spinal disorders. Questions/Purposes We sought to evaluate patient satisfaction with telehealth visits as a platform for delivering care for the treatment of spinal pathology. Methods Patients undergoing a telehealth visit with providers specializing in the treatment of spinal disorders (one surgeon and two physiatrists) were provided with an anonymous, online survey. Data on patient satisfaction, effectiveness of the telehealth visit (in comparison with in-person visits), and clarity of communication were collected through 5-point Likert scales; visit characteristics and free-text responses were also collected. Results Eighty-four patients responded to the survey. Their attitudes were largely positive, with an overall mean patient satisfaction score of 4.79. Patients gave high scores for clarity of communication during the visit, and for satisfaction with the formulation of treatment plans and their ability to ask questions, they gave the lowest scores to the effectiveness of telemedicine in replacing an in-person visit and ease of interface navigation. Conclusions The high overall patient satisfaction reported by our patients seeking care for a spinal pathology supports the growing body of evidence promoting the use of telehealth for orthopedic care. Further research is needed in a standardized telehealth examination of patients with spinal disorders.
A two-weight Sobolev inequality for Carnot-Carathéodory spaces
Authors: Alberico Angela , Di Gironimo Patrizia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLet $$X = \{X_1,X_2, \ldots ,X_m\}$$

X
=
{

X
1

,

X
2

,
…
,

X
m

}

be a system of smooth vector fields in $${{\mathbb R}^n}$$

R

n

satisfying the Hörmander’s finite rank condition. We prove the following Sobolev inequality with reciprocal weights in Carnot-Carathéodory space $$\mathbb G$$
G
associated to system X$$\begin{aligned} \left( \frac{1}{\int _{B_R} K(x)\; dx} \int _{B_R} |u|^{t} K(x) \; dx \right) ^{1/t} \le C\, R \left( \frac{1}{\int _{B_R}\frac{1}{K(x)} \; dx} \int _{B_R} \frac{|X u|^2}{K(x)} \; dx \right) ^{1/2}, \end{aligned}$$

1

∫

B
R

K

(
x
)

d
x

∫

B
R

|
u
|

t

K

(
x
)

d
x

1
/
t

≤
C

R

1

∫

B
R

1

K
(
x
)

d
x

∫

B
R

|
X
u
|

2

K
(
x
)

d
x

1
/
2

,

where Xu denotes the horizontal gradient of u with respect to X. We assume that the weight K belongs to Muckenhoupt’s class $$A_2$$

A
2

and Gehring’s class $$G_{\tau }$$

G
τ

, where $$\tau $$
τ
is a suitable exponent related to the homogeneous dimension.
Patient Questions Surrounding Mask Use for Prevention of COVID-19 and Physician Answers from an Evidence-Based Perspective: a Narrative Review
Authors: Martinez Jessica A. , Miller Rachel H. , Martinez Ryan A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRecent mandates to wear masks in public places across the USA combined with conflicting messaging from the media and government agencies have generated a lot of patient questions surrounding the appropriate use and efficacy of cloth masks. Here, we have organized the evidence in the context of real patient questions and have provided example answers from a physician’s perspective. The purpose of this review is to offer healthcare providers with examples of how to respond to patient questions about masks in a way that encourages responsible decision-making. We conclude, based on the evidence showing a benefit for cloth masks and the recent reports supporting a role for aerosols in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, that cloth masks will be effective when used correctly. We further assert that stronger public messaging surrounding cloth masks in the community setting is needed, and should specify that 2–3 layer, fitted face masks be worn at all times in public as another layer of protection in addition to social distancing, not just when social distancing cannot be maintained.
The mental health and well-being benefits of exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of medical students and newly qualified doctors in the UK
Authors: Coyle Conor , Ghazi Hanya , Georgiou Ioannis 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim
We aimed to identify the activities respondents found beneficial for their well-being and mental health and recorded a mood score from survey respondents.

Methods
A nationwide study was completed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon medical students and newly qualified doctors (interim foundation year one). We received 2075 respondents from across the UK.

Results
Physical activity was found to be the most common activity used by the survey respondents to help with their mental well-being (80.1%) (medical students, 83.7%; interim foundation doctors, 72.3%). Participants who stated that exercise helped their well-being had a mean score (SD) of 52.3 (20.7) which was significantly higher (P = 0.048) than those who reported that they did not exercise (49.8 (21.1)). Respondents who stated they had used exercise to help with their mental well-being had (on average) a higher mood score than those who did not. This was seen in both the medical student and interim foundation doctor subgroups.

Discussion
Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.
Ability to initiate relationships and sense of loneliness mediate the relationship between low self-esteem and excessive internet use
Authors: Dembińska Aleksandra , Kłosowska Joanna , Ochnik Dominika 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to identify possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between low self-esteem and excessive Internet use in a non-clinical sample of young adults. Basing on the theoretical framework and results of existing studies we hypothesized that the association between self-esteem and excessive Internet use will be serially mediated by the ability to initiate contact with others and sense of loneliness. The study sample consisted of 506 participants (60% women) aged between 18 and 35 years (mean = 19). The following questionnaires were administered: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire and the Excessive Internet Use Scale. The last measure was prepared by authors for the purpose of the study. Serial mediation analysis was conducted. In line with our hypotheses the link between low self-esteem and excessive Internet use was found to be sequentially mediated by the capability to initiate social contacts and chronic loneliness. Difficulty in engaging in social interaction leading to the sense of loneliness may explain the link between low self-esteem and excessive Internet use. These results may help to design early intervention programs.
Does Household Income Affect children’s Outcomes? A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Authors: Cooper Kerris , Stewart Kitty 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThere is abundant evidence that children in low income households do less well than their peers on a range of developmental outcomes. However, there is continuing uncertainty about how far money itself matters, and how far associations simply reflect other, unobserved, differences between richer and poorer families. The authors conducted a systematic review of studies using methods that lend themselves to causal interpretation. To be included, studies had to use Randomised Controlled Trials, quasi-experiments or fixed effect-style techniques on longitudinal data. The results lend strong support to the hypothesis that household income has a positive causal effect on children’s outcomes, including their cognitive and social-behavioural development and their health, particularly in households with low income to begin with. There is also clear evidence of a positive causal effect of income on ‘intermediate outcomes’ that are important for children’s development, including maternal mental health, parenting and the home environment. The review also makes a methodological contribution, identifying that effects tend to be larger in experimental and quasi-experimental studies than in fixed effect approaches. This finding has implications for our ability to generalise from observational studies.
Discrete operators associated with linking operators
Authors: Heilmann Margareta , Nasaireh Fadel , Raşa Ioan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe associate to an integral operator a discrete one which is conceptually simpler, and study the relations between them. The differences between the integral and the associated discrete operators are estimated. Applications are given, involving the Baskakov type operators, genuine Baskakov–Durrmeyer type operators, and their Kantorovich modifications. We construct the discrete operators associated with these integral operators and apply our general results in this context.
Advances in the Development of Anti-Adhesive Biomaterials for Tendon Repair Treatment
Authors: Zhou Haiying , Lu Hui 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background:
Peritendinous adhesion that simultaneous with tendon healing link the healing tendon to the surrounding tissue. It results in functional disability, and has a significant adverse impact on health as well as social and economic development.

Methods:
Based on a search in the PubMed and Web of Science database, the research articles were screened by their time, main idea, impact factor index, while the ones with no credibility were excluded. Afterwards, we go through the analysis of the reliability and characteristics of the results were further screened from selected articles.

Results:
A total of 17 biomaterials used to evaluate the adhesion mechanism and the properties of the material were found. All of these biomaterials contained randomized controlled studies and detailed descriptions of surgical treatment that support the reliability of their results which indicates that biomaterials act as barriers to prevent the formation of adhesion, and most of them exhibit satisfactory biocompatibility, biodegradability or selective permeability. Moreover, a few had certain mechanical strength, anti-inflammatory, or carrier capacities. However, there still existed some defects, such as time, technology, clinical trials, material targeting and different measurement standards which also lowered the reliability of their results.

Conclusion:
In future, anti-adhesion biomaterials should focus on affordable raw materials with wide sources, and the production process should be simplified, in this way, the versatility and targeting of materials will be improved.
Extraordinary Tumor Growth Rates in Bilateral Meningioma-Vestibular Schwannoma Collision Tumors in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 2: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Adib Sasan Darius , Zamora Rocio Evangelista , Tatagiba Marcos 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCollision tumors seem to be an extraordinary pathology with unusual features. We sought to report the management of very fast-growing bilateral meningioma-vestibular schwannoma collision tumors in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 2. Both meningiomas and both vestibular schwannoma, when analyzed by volumetry, showed a very rapid growth rate (0.476–0.833 cm3 per month) in comparison with two meningiomas of other locations (0.132–0.233 cm3 per month). To the best of our knowledge, the growth rates of both vestibular schwannomas in the present case are the fastest that have been described in literature for a vestibular schwannoma so far.
Methane and carbon dioxide emissions from different ecosystems at the end of dry period in South Vietnam
Authors: Dušek Jiří , Nguyen Vinh Xuan , Le Thuyen Xuan , Pavelka Marian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe carbon cycle includes important fluxes of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between the ecosystem and the atmosphere. The fluxes may acquire either positive (release) or negative values (consumption). We calculated these fluxes based on short-campaign in situ chamber measurements from four ecosystems of South Vietnam: intact mountain rain forest, rice field, Melaleuca forest and mangroves (different sites with Avicennia or Rhizophora and a typhoon-disturbed gap). Soil measurements were supplemented by chamber measurements of gas fluxes from the tree stems. Measuring CH4 and CO2 together facilitates the assessment of the ratio between these two gases in connection with current conditions and specificity of individual ecosystems. The highest fluxes of CH4 were recorded in the Melaleuca forest, being within the range from 356.7 to 784.2 mg CH4–C m−2 day−1 accompanied by higher fluxes of CH4 release from Melaleuca tree stems (8.0–262.1 mg CH4–C m−2 day−1). Significant negative soil fluxes of CH4 were recorded in the mountain rain forest, within the range from − 0.3 to − 0.8 mg CH4–C m−2 day−1. Fluxes of CO2 indicate prevailing aerobic activity in the soils of the ecosystems investigated. Quite a large variability of CO2 fluxes was recorded in the soil of the Avicennia mangroves. The in situ measurements of different ecosystems are fundamental for follow-up measurements at different levels such as aerial and satellite gas fluxes observations.
Fatigue failure analysis of three-layer Zr–Ti/Zr–Steel composite plates: an insight into the evolution of cracks initiated at the interfaces
Authors: Karolczuk Aleksander , Carpinteri Andrea , Robak Grzegorz , Derda Szymon , Prażmowski Mariusz 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInitiation and evolution of fatigue cracks at the interfaces in three-layer Zr–Ti/Zr–Steel composites is herein examined by in situ optical microscopy for the first time. Specimens cut out from three composite plates comprising Zr 700, Ti Gr. 1, and P265GH steel layers have been subjected to uniaxial fatigue cyclic loading. It is found that mechanical property mismatch between layers and defects at the interfaces can reduce the fatigue life of composite plates. An insight into the evolution of cracks initiated at the interfaces reveals that (1) most of the cracks grow into adjacent layers along two distinct planes, and (2) these cracks could lead to the fatigue failure of composites. One of these planes coincides with the adiabatic shear band orientation found in Ti Gr. 1 and Zr 700 layers. The interfaces in multilayer metallic composite could have excellent fatigue strength depending on their structural properties.
Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on surgical practice in Kurdistan, Iraq: An online cross-sectional survey
Authors: Hussein Nawfal R. , Musa Dildar H. , Ibrahim Nashwan , Naqid Ibrahim A. , Saleem Zana Sidiq M. , Jacksi Karwan 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge to healthcare services in the world. It has negatively impacted surgical practice, and health workers. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical practice in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Methods:
An online cross-sectional study using an online survey was performed between 13 April to 29 April, 2020 in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq. An online cross-sectional study using an online survey was performed between 13 April to 29 April, 2020 in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq. A total of 241 surgeons, aged 28–70 years (mean range 22.2 ± 7.9 SD), were recruited to this study. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgeons' practices. Participants completed a self-developed online questionnaire.

Results:
The majority of participants (44.39%) were general surgeons, followed by urologists (17.01%). Approximately 82.57% of surgeons performed surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic and 60.31% undertook emergency surgeries only. There was no significant difference between men and women (P = 0.41) and different age groups (P = 0.08). Only 28.22% of surgeons had access to full personal protective equipment (PPE), and 41.18% believed that wearing PPEs severely affected their skills. Results also found that surgeons aged between 28 and 34 years were more pledged to the use of PPEs, than other age groups (P = 0.001). The use of PPEs during surgeries was significantly higher in the Sulaymaniyah province (P = 0.001). The surgical services were also severely impacted in the Sulaymaniyah province than in the other provinces (p = 0.001).

Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected surgical practice in the Kurdistan Region, particularly in the Sulaymaniyah province. Males, and young surgeons showed a higher commitment level for using PPE. Additional training and precautions are needed to increase awareness about COVID-19 among surgeons, and the importance of using PPE during surgery.

Highlights:
Influence of distorted inflows on the performance of a contra-rotating fan
Authors: Manas M.P. , Pradeep A.M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA contra-rotating fan offers several aerodynamic advantages that make it a potential candidate for future aircraft engine configurations. Stall in a contra-rotating axial fan is interesting since instabilities could arise from either or both of the rotors. In this experimental study, a contra-rotating axial fan is analysed under clean or distorted inflow conditions to understand its performance and stall inception characteristics. The steady and unsteady measurements identified the relative contribution of each rotor towards the performance of the stage. The tip of rotor-1 is identified to be the most critical region of the contra-rotating fan. The contribution of rotor-2 to the overall loading of the stage is observed to be relatively less than rotor-1. The penalty due to distortion in the stage pressure rise is mostly felt by rotor-1, while rotor-2 also shows a reduction in performance for distorted inflows. Rotor-2 stalls at a high flow coefficient marking the initiation of partial stall of the stage, and the stall of the whole stage occurs once rotor-1 stalls. A fluid phenomenon that is attached to the blade surface marks the stall of rotor-1, and this fluid phenomenon initially rotates at a speed close to the speed of rotation of the blade. As the stage moves towards the fully developed stall, this fluid phenomenon sheds from the blade surface. The fluid phenomenon thus propagates at a speed much lower than the rotational speed of the blade during fully developed stall.
Regulatory Challenges in the COVID-19 Era: The Case of Tunisia
Authors: Cherif Dora , Felfel Hajer , Drira Chema , Aounallah Mariam , Kadri Meriem , Ben Rayana Mohamed Chiheb , Razgallah Khrouf Myriam 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn view of the possible disruptions in the manufacturing and supply of health products following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Tunisian medicines regulatory authority was mobilized to guarantee patient safety. Teleworking has become the ultimate way of service continuity. The planning was revised according to health priorities. Work procedures were set online. A minimum list of medicines known as "medicines of health and strategic interest" was established. The Directorate of Pharmacy and Medicines (DPM) has been working on updating medicines stock data. A provisional suspension of authorizations for medicines export for 1 mo was decided. A fast-track procedure allowing the validation of alternative sources of raw materials has been put in place. An appeal for a fast track manufacture of hydroalcoholic gel/solutions was launched. A Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered and Investigational Interventions (MEURI) procedure has been adopted in order to dispense off-label prescriptions of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin combination. Focus groups were organized in order to set up therapeutic trials exploring possible strategies of COVID-19 treatment, such as serotherapy and BCG vaccine. This proactive and anticipatory policy has made it possible to meet the health challenges dictated by this crisis.