bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Malnutrition in Acute Care Surgery Patients in Rwanda
Authors: Abahuje Egide , Niyongombwa Irenee , Karenzi David , Bisimwa Jeanne D’ Arc , Tuyishime Eugene , Ntirenganya Faustin , Rickard Jennifer 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionMalnutrition is prevalent in hospitalized surgical patients and has been shown to significantly alter outcomes including length of hospital stay, complications, and mortality. Different tools for nutrition assessment were developed and are being used. The aim of this study was to characterize the nutritional status of acute care surgery patients, determine risk factors for malnutrition, and describe outcomes in patients with malnutrition.MethodsThis was a prospective, descriptive study of malnutrition in acute care surgery patients at CHUK. Over a 6‐month time period, we collected data on demographics, diagnosis, operation, and patient outcomes. We assessed the incidence of malnutrition using the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) guidelines and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). We reported frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and median and interquartile range (IQR) for continuous variables.ResultsWe analyzed data for 279 acute care surgery patients. Most (n = 209, 73%) patients were male. The median duration of symptoms was 5 days (IQR 2, 14). The most common diagnoses were trauma (n = 83, 30%), intestinal obstruction (n = 76, 27%), and peritonitis (n = 49, 18%). Most (n = 210, 73%) patients underwent operation. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR 4, 11). Using ASPEN guidelines, 99 (35%) patients had evidence of malnutrition on hospital admission and 76 (27%) had evidence of malnutrition using SGA. After 1 week of hospital stay, 48 (41%) patients had evidence of malnutrition. Overall mortality was 3%, with higher mortality seen in patients with malnutrition (8% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.001). The length of hospital stay was longer in patients with malnutrition on hospital admission (6 days vs. 5 days, p = 0.044).ConclusionsAcute care surgical patients present to the hospital at high‐risk for malnutrition. Efforts are needed to ensure that surgical patients receive adequate nutrition support to improve patient outcomes and minimize complications.
Circulating P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand 1 and P-Selectin Levels in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients
Authors: Horváth P. , Lázár Z. , Gálffy G. , Puskás R. , Kunos L. , Losonczy Gy. , Mészáros M. , Tárnoki Á. D. , Tárnoki D. L. , Bikov A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia which induces inflammation in blood vessels leading to the development of cardiovascular comorbidities. Several studies implicated the role of P-selectin in vascular inflammation of OSA. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) is the main activator for P-selectin and is involved in immune cell trafficking. However, PSGL-1 has not been analyzed in OSA. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma PSGL-1 and P-selectin levels to have a deeper understanding on their interaction in obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods
Fifty-one untreated patients with OSA and 42 non-OSA controls were recruited. Plasma PSGL-1 levels were determined in evening and morning samples, P-selectin levels were analyzed in morning samples using commercially available ELISA kits. Polysomnography was performed in all participants. OSA was defined by an apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 5/h.

Results
PSGL-1 levels did not differ between controls and OSA patients either in the evening or in the morning. Although, there was no difference between controls (16.9/6.8–40.8 ng/ml) and patients with OSA (19.6/8.4–56.8, p = 0.24), patients with severe OSA had increased plasma P-selectin levels (25.6/8.4–56.8 ng/ml) compared to mild OSA patients (14.1/8.5–35.3 ng/ml, p = 0.006) and controls (p = 0.03).

Conclusions
P-selectin expression relates to disease severity suggesting a pathophysiological role in endothelial cell activation. PSGL-1 levels are unaltered in OSA, suggesting an alternative activation pathway for P-selectin in OSA.
One size does not fit all: understanding individual living kidney donor risk
Authors: Asgari Elham , Hilton Rachel M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLiving donor kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) but confers a risk upon the donor, both in the short term and many years after donation. While perioperative mortality is low and longevity does not appear to be adversely affected, there are small increases in the risk of other important morbidities. The overall risk of ESKD among donors is low but appears to be three- to five-fold higher than among healthy non-donors, and this relative risk is even higher among donors of African ancestry. For these individuals, apolipoprotein L1 genotyping may be helpful. Kidney donors also have an increased risk of developing hypertension post-donation and a modestly increased risk of developing gout. Living kidney donation also increases the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia while not affecting other important pregnancy outcomes. As our understanding of donor risk grows, it is important to counsel prospective donors according to their individual risk and so obtain better informed donor consent. As knowledge advances, it is also important that all clinicians who manage kidney transplant candidates have an up to date understanding of donor risk to inform shared decision making.
A regulated synthetic operon facilitates stable overexpression of multigene terpenoid pathway in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Abdallah Ingy I , Xue Dan , Pramastya Hegar , van Merkerk Ronald , Setroikromo Rita , Quax Wim J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The creation of microbial cell factories for sustainable production of natural products is important for medical and industrial applications. This requires stable expression of biosynthetic pathways in a host organism with favorable fermentation properties such as Bacillus subtilis. The aim of this study is to construct B. subtilis strains that produce valuable terpenoid compounds by overexpressing the innate methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. A synthetic operon allowing the concerted and regulated expression of multiple genes was developed. Up to 8 genes have been combined in this operon and a stably inherited plasmid-based vector was constructed resulting in a high production of C30 carotenoids. For this, two vectors were examined, one with rolling circle replication and another with theta replication. Theta-replication constructs were clearly superior in structural and segregational stability compared to rolling circle constructs. A strain overexpressing all eight genes of the MEP pathway on a theta-replicating plasmid clearly produced the highest level of carotenoids. The level of transcription for each gene in the operon was similar as RT-qPCR analysis indicated. Hence, that corresponding strain can be used as a stable cell factory for production of terpenoids. This is the first report of merging and stably expressing this large-size operon (eight genes) from a plasmid-based system in B. subtilis enabling high C30 carotenoid production.
Economic evaluation of the honey yield from four forest tree species and the future prospect of the forest beekeeping in Sudan
Authors: Elzaki Elsamoal , Tian Gang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe present study is an investigation into beekeeping activity values as land use types practiced in Sudanese forests. The main objectives of the study are to estimate honey yield produced per unit area from four tree species, namely: Acacia seyal, A. nilotica, Ziziphus spina-Christi and Eucalyptus spp. Furthermore, the study aims at estimating its economic value and financial return (US$/hectare) using Return On Investment (ROI) as a decision criterion. In addition, the study aims at identifying the obstacles and constraints which this activity faces. The data were collected through interviews with 96 beekeepers in six selected production areas and a survey of market-related data. A structured questionnaire was used, and a descriptive and comparative analysis carried out. The results indicated that the average annual yield of honey/bee hives is 13 kg, ranging between 10 and 16 kg, and A. seyal showed the highest productivity. Furthermore, the results showed that 15 bee colonies/hectare is more suitable with a return rate of 780 US$/hectare annual income. This result indicates that the productivity of honey yield from forest trees has a considerable economic value and financial return. Thus, these results could be a great incentive to encourage local communities to integrate forest management.
The Effects of Hopelessness on Chronic Disease Among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks: Findings from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL)
Authors: Robinson Michael A. , Kim Irang , Mowbray Orion , Washington Tiffany 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between hopelessness on chronic disease in a national sample of African Americans (3570) and Caribbean Blacks (1438) Using the National Survey of American Life. A multivariate negative binomial regression examined whether chronic disease is associated with hopelessness, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Overall, 13.14% of the sample reported they were highly hopeless, and 31.5% indicated they were moderately hopeless. About 19% of respondents experienced chronic disease. Bivariate associations showed that those who have ever had chronic disease significantly differed from those who did not in regard to age, gender and spirituality. Multivariate results showed that respondents who ever have had chronic disease reported significantly higher hopelessness scores than those with no chronic disease. The study findings contribute to the current body of literature by supporting findings from smaller studies on the relationship between depression and hopelessness in African Americans and Caribbean Blacks.
Use of non-integrating Zm-Wus2 vectors to enhance maize transformation
Authors: Hoerster George , Wang Ning , Ryan Larisa , Wu Emily , Anand Ajith , McBride Kevin , Lowe Keith , Jones Todd , Gordon-Kamm Bill 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe use of Baby boom (Bbm) and Wuschel2 (Wus2) has made maize transformation more efficient across an increasingly wide range of inbreds. However, the benefits have come with the requirement of excising these transformation helper components to enable plant regeneration, which adds size to the T-DNA, and complexity to the transformation system. A new system with the advantages of smaller size and simplicity for the selectable marker gene-containing T-DNA is described. First, expression of Zm-Wus2 alone driven by the maize Pltp promoter (Zm-Pltppro), was determined to be sufficient to induce rapid somatic embryo formation from the scutella of maize immature embryos. It was also demonstrated that co-infecting with two strains of Agrobacterium, one with a Wus2 expression cassette, and the other with a combination of both selectable and visual marker cassettes, produced transformed T0 plants that contained only a single copy of the selectable marker T-DNA, without the integration of Wus2. Furthermore, the process was optimized by varying the ratio of the two Agrobacterium strains, and by modulating Wus2 expression to enable high-frequency recovery of selectable marker-containing T0 plants that did not contain Wus2. Several factors may have contributed to this outcome. Wus2 expression in localized cell(s) appeared to stimulate somatic embryogenesis in neighboring cells, including those that had integrated the selectable marker. In addition, in cells in which the Wus2 T-DNA did not integrate but the selectable marker T-DNA did, transient Wus2 expression stimulated somatic embryo formation and regeneration of stable T0 plants that contained the selectable marker. In addition, augmenting the Pltp promoter with three viral enhancer elements to increase Wus2 expression stimulated embryogenesis while precluding their regeneration. The phenomenon has now been designated as “altruistic transformation.”
Experimental study and modelling discharge coefficient of trapezoidal and rectangular piano key weirs
Authors: Kumar Munish , Sihag Parveen , Tiwari N. K. , Ranjan Subodh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCrest length is an important parameter in influencing the discharge handling capacity of a weir. Nonlinear weirs with longer crests are cost effective alternatives for those existing dam structures which are more susceptible to failure due to loss of storage capacity by reservoir silting problem, and insufficiency of the structure in evacuating the updated flow due to the limited space. Piano key weir is a type of nonlinear weir designed in the form of piano keys, over-hanged from both the upstream and the downstream with sloping floors founded on a base or footprint. These weirs can be easily placed over gravity dams due to smaller footprint than labyrinth weirs. The present study’s focus is on the comparative analysis of identical configurations of trapezoidal and rectangular piano key (PK) weirs. The importance of (crest length to width) L/W ratio and weir height (P) in affecting the discharge efficiency of both types of PK weirs is investigated in the experimental study. Furthermore, soft computing approaches are applied to the current data set obtained from both types of weirs by considering discharge coefficient ($$C_{\text{d}}$$Cd) as a function of dimensionless geometric variables of PK weirs. The modelling performance of random forest regression and M5 tree approach is tested in order to estimate the values of discharge coefficient. The results conclude higher predictive accuracy of random forest model over M5 tree model.
Numerical modeling of spillway aerators in high-head dams
Authors: Aydin M. Cihan , Isik Ercan , Ulu A. Emre 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDue to high flow velocity, the spillway surfaces of high-head dams can expose to cavitational damage. The most effective and economical method of protection from this damage is aerated to flow using aerators. In this study, a spillway aerator of the roller-compacted concrete dam of 100 m height was analyzed using two-phase computational fluid dynamic model to overcome the cavitation damage on the spillway surface. The numerical analysis with prototype dimensions was performed for various flow conditions (5223, 3500, 1750 and 1000 m3/s of flow rate), and obtained results were compared with some experimental observation in the literature. Numerical and experimental results indicated that the cavitation occurs on the surface after a certain downstream point based on cavitation indices. The air entrainment rate and air concentrations supplied by means of the aerator were determined to avoid the cavitational damage. While the experimental results can contain considerable scale effect in terms of air entrainment rate owing to, e.g., viscous effects especially for small scales, the numerical models with prototype dimensions gave much more accurate results. In other words, it can be also mentioned that the actual aeration amount is much greater than that obtained from the model experiments. The results based on numerical analysis showed that the aerator device meet air demand to prevent the cavitation damage.
Critical Features in the Microstructural Analysis of AISI 316L Produced By Metal Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Saboori Abdollah , Toushekhah Mostafa , Aversa Alberta , Lai Manuel , Lombardi Mariangela , Biamino Sara , Fino Paolo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDirected energy deposition (DED) process is recognized as an alternative technology to produce the complex-shape AISI 316L components. The critical production step in this technology is the optimization of process parameters that can directly affect the final properties of the components. To optimize the process parameters, the residual defects of specimens produced with different combinations of process parameters are evaluated, and the optimum condition is chosen. Therefore, the residual defects assessment is a vital step in finding the optimum process parameters; therefore, this evaluation should be carried out carefully. One of the main issues in the production of AISI 316L by DED process is oxidation during the process that should be considered besides the other defects such as porosity and cracks. However, the identification between the oxides and porosities is not an easy task, and so this study aims to provide more clear insight into the evaluation of pores and oxides in DED 316L samples. The outcomes of this work show that at the best process parameters suitable for a porosity-free sample, there are some oxides that can be misinterpreted as porosity and consequently deteriorate the mechanical properties of the dense sample.
“Now what do I do?“: Toward a conceptual understanding of the effects of traumatic events on identity functioning
Authors: Waterman Alan S. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionTraumas refer to relatively discrete, negatively valanced, events causing physical, economic, spiritual, and/or psychological harm with life‐altering impacts. These impacts include widely varied effects on the identity functioning of adolescents/emerging adults.MethodsThe array of possible impacts of traumatic events was considered with particular attention devoted to the identification of variables that may be predictive of particular identity‐related outcomes.ResultsA taxonomy of possible developmental impacts of traumatic events on identity functioning is developed: (a) identity resilience, (b) identity affirmation, (c) identity delay, (d) identity threat, (e) identity loss, (f) identity alteration, (g) identity replacement, (h) trauma‐shaped identity, and (i) trauma‐centered identity. A series of 11 propositions regarding the predictors of various developmental impacts is advanced. The propositions involve variables related to the nature of the traumatic event, variables related to the effects of trauma (other than identity‐related effects), person‐related variables, and variables related to the social context in which the person is functioning.ConclusionThese propositions can serve as a research agenda for furthering our understanding of the range of effects of trauma on identity functioning.
The Evolutionary State of CEMP Stars
Authors: Andersen Johannes , Nordström Birgitta 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe standard scenario for the production of carbon-enhanced extremely metal-poor (CEMP) stars requires a more massive binary companion, which has evolved through the AGB stage and transferred carbon-rich material to the surface of the surviving, likewise extremely metal-poor (EMP) star. Evidently, the binary companion plays a key role in this process.In order to characterise the polluting star, if any, the stage of evolution of the observed star (whether RGB or AGB), and whether pulsations exist, must be known. The Gaia DR2 parallaxes and photometry should contain the answer.
Measuring spatially resolved gas-to-dust ratios in AGB stars
Authors: Wallström Sofia , Dharmawardena T. , Rodríguez Marquina B. , Scicluna P. , Srinivasan S. , Kemper F. ,   The NESS Collaboration
Published: January 2020

AbstractGas-to-dust ratios in Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars are used to calculate gas masses from measured dust masses and vice versa, but can vary widely and are rarely directly measured. In this work, we present spatially resolved gas and dust masses for a sample of 8 nearby AGB stars, using JCMT CO-line and continuum observations, and compare them. This serves as a pilot study for the Nearby Evolved Stars Survey (NESS; PI: P. Scicluna) project which will provide similar observations of ∼400 AGB stars in a volume-limited sample.
The Structure of the Inner Circumstellar Shell in Miras
Authors: Hinkle Kenneth H. , Lebzelter Thomas 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe have measured CO line profiles in a time series of 42 high-resolution 1.6 − 2.5 μm spectra of R Cas. The low-excitation CO first overtone lines have a contribution from a ∼1000 K region. We show that this region undergoes a periodic changes on time scales many times longer than the photospheric pulsation. Comparison with interferometry and models suggests that the ∼1000 K region is at ∼2 R* and cospatial with the region of SiO masers and grain condensation. The CO lines are entirely in absorption requiring formation in a layer thin compared to the stellar diameter. The CO excitation temperature has been measured as low as 600 K suggesting that grains with a variety of compositions condense at ∼2 R*.
On the circumstellar effects on the Li and Ca abundances in massive Galactic O-rich AGB stars
Authors: Pérez-Mesa V. , Zamora O. , García-Hernández D. A. , Ossorio Y. , Masseron T. , Plez B. , Manchado A. , Karakas A. I. , Lugaro M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe explore the circumstellar effects on the Li and Ca abundances determination in a complete sample of massive Galactic AGB stars. The Li abundance is an indicator of the hot bottom burning (HBB) activation, while the total Ca abundance could be affected by overproduction of the short-lived radionuclide 41Ca by the s-process. Li abundances were previously studied with hydrostatic models, while Ca abundances are determined here for the first time. The pseudo-dynamical abundances of Li and Ca are very similar to the hydrostatic ones, indicating that circumstellar effects are almost negligible. The new Li abundances confirm the (super-)Li-rich character of the sample Li-detected stars, supporting the HBB activation in massive Galactic AGB stars. Most sample stars display nearly solar Ca abundances that are consistent with predictions from the s-process nucleosynthesis models. A minority of the sample stars show a significant Ca depletion. Possible reasons for their (unexpected) low Ca content are given.
On cylindrically symmetric solutions of polarized radiative transfer equation
Authors: Freimanis Juris 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWhile the observed polarization maps of spatially resolved post-AGB objects usually require numerical modelling of radiative transfer, it is useful to have known analytical solutions of the polarized radiative transfer equation (PRTE) as benchmarks of computer codes in the simplest model cases. We consider two such solutions: cylindrically symmetric Green’s function for an infinite medium and cylindrically symmetric inner eigenfunctions of PRTE.
Observations of the Ultraviolet-Bright Star Barnard 29 in the Globular Cluster M13 (NGC 6205)
Authors: Dixon William V. , Chayer Pierre , Reid I. N. , Bertolami Marcelo Miguel Miller 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe have analyzed FUSE, COS, GHRS, and Keck/HIRES spectra of the UV-bright star Barnard 29 in M13. Fits to the star’s optical spectrum yield Teff = 20,000 ± 100 K and log g = 3.00 ± 0.01. Using modern stellar-atmosphere models, we are able to reproduce the complex shape of the Balmer H.. feature. We derive photospheric abundances of He, C, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Ge. Barnard 29 exhibits an abundance pattern typical of the first-generation stars in M13, enhanced in oxygen and depleted in aluminum. We see no evidence of significant chemical evolution since the star left the RGB; in particular, it did not undergo third dredge-up. Previous workers found that the star’s FUV spectra yield an iron abundance about 0.5 dex lower than its optical spectrum, but the iron abundances derived from all of our spectra are consistent with one another and with the cluster value. We attribute this difference to our use of model atmospheres without microturbulence. By comparing our best-fit model with the star’s optical magnitudes, we derive a mass M*/M=0.40 − 0.49 and luminosity log L*/L⊙=3.20 − 3.29, depending on the cluster distance. Comparison with stellar-evolution models suggests that Barnard 29 evolved from a ZAHB star of mass M*/M⊙∼0.50, placing it near the boundary between the extreme and blue horizontal branches.