bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at high altitude: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiong Huaiyu , Huang Qiangru , He Chengying , Shuai Tiankui , Yan Peijing , Zhu Lei , Yang Kehu , Liu Jian 
Published: April 2020

Background and objective
Recently, several studies have investigated the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at high altitude (>1,500 m). However, much remains to be understood about the correlation between altitude and COPD. We aimed to summarize the prevalence of COPD at high-altitudes and find out if altitude could be a risk factor for COPD.

Methods
We searched PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SCOPUS, OVID, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) and Embase databases from inception to April 30th, 2019, with no language restriction. We used STATA 14.0 to analyze the extracted data. A random-effect model was used to calculate the combined OR and 95% CI. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 statistic versus P-value. We performed a subgroup analysis to analyze possible sources of heterogeneity. The Egger’s test and the Begg’s test were used to assess any publication bias.

Results
We retrieved 4,574 studies from seven databases and finally included 10 studies (54,578 participants). Males ranged from 18.8% to 49.3% and the population who smoked ranged from 3.3% to 53.3%. The overall prevalence of COPD at high-altitude was 10.0% (95% CI [0.08–0.12], P < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis, based on different regions, the results showed that the prevalence in Asia was higher than that in Europe and America. Seven studies compared the relationship between the prevalence of COPD at high-altitudes and the lowlands. The results showed that altitude was not an independent risk factor for the prevalence of COPD (ORadj = 1.18, 95% CI [0.85–1.62], P = 0.321). There was no publication bias among the studies.

Conclusions
Our study found a higher prevalence of COPD at high-altitudes than those from average data. However, altitude was not found to be an independent risk factor for developing COPD (PROSPERO Identifier: CRD42019135012).
Look out: an exploratory study assessing how gaze (eye angle and head angle) and gait speed are influenced by surface complexity
Authors: Thomas Nicholas D.A. , Gardiner James D. , Crompton Robin H. , Lawson Rebecca 
Published: April 2020

Background
Most research investigating the connection between walking and visual behaviour has assessed only eye movements (not head orientation) in respect to locomotion over smooth surfaces in a laboratory. This is unlikely to reflect gaze changes found over the complex surfaces experienced in the real world, especially given that eye and head movements have rarely been assessed simultaneously.

Research question
How does gaze (eye and head) angle and gait speed change when walking over surfaces of different complexity?

Methods
In this exploratory study, we used a mobile eye tracker to monitor eye movements and inertia measurement unit sensors (IMUs) to measure head angle whilst subjects (n = 11) walked over surfaces with different complexities both indoors and outdoors. Gait speed was recorded from ankle IMUs.

Results
Overall, mean gaze angle was lowest over the most complex surface and this surface also elicited the slowest mean gait speed. The head contributed increasingly to the lowering of gaze with increased surface complexity. Less complex surfaces showed no significant difference between gaze and gait behaviour.

Significance
This study supports previous research showing that increased surface complexity is an important factor in determining gaze and gait behaviour. Moreover, it provides the novel finding that head movements provide important contributions to gaze location. Our future research aims are to further assess the role of the head in determining gaze location during locomotion across a greater range of complex surfaces to determine the key surface characteristics that influence gaze during gait.
Antimicrobial Activity of Honey on Some Bacterial Isolates from Selected Brands of Sachet Water Sold within Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Agi V. N. , Aleru C. P. , Azike C. A. , Ollor O. A. , Alonyenu D. U. 
Published: April 2020

Background: The present study was carried out to assess the antimicrobial effect of honey on bacterial isolates from sachet water sold within Eligbolo Community in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Methodology: Five brands of sachet water commonly consumed by the people living in Eligbolo Community of Port Harcourt, Nigeria were purchased from different Vendors in the community. Nutrient and MacConkey agar plates were used for culturing of water samples using spread plate method. Ten-fold serial dilution and Most Probable Number (MPN) were among the methods used and the samples analyzed were according to standard procedures. Natural honey purchased from Ogbokolo in Benue State, Nigeria was used for susceptibility testing. Quality control, ant inhibition and water test methods were performed using the honey to confirm its originality before use. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done using the agar well diffusion method.
Results: Results obtained showed the bacterial isolated from the 5 sachet brands of water. These include Bacillus species 5 (62.5%), Enterococcus faecalis 1 (12.5%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 1 (12.5%), and Escherichia coli 1 (12.5%). All of the 5 sachet water samples analyzed failed to meet the WHO drinking water standard of zero coliform per 100 ml making them unsuitable for human consumption. Faecal coliform was isolated from sample C indicating faecal contamination of the drinking water. The sensitivity of the isolates to the honey sample showed higher zone of inhibition compared to the standard antibiotic used as control. Staphylococcus epidermidis showed the highest zone of inhibition (39 mm), followed by Escherichia coli (37 mm), Bacillus species (35 mm) and Enterococcus faecalis (32 mm) respectively.
Conclusion: The results revealed that honey has a broad antimicrobial spectrum against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and could provide alternative agent to overcome the problem of increasingly bacteria resistance to synthetic antimicrobial agents. It is therefore, recommended that further work should be encouraged for the extraction of the crude components of honey and their use for antibiotic production.
Interferon‐γ‐induced HLA Class II expression on endothelial cells is decreased by inhibition of mTOR and HMG‐CoA reductase
Authors: Maenaka Akihiro , Kenta Iwasaki , Ota Akinobu , Miwa Yuko , Ohashi Wataru , Horimi Kosei , Matsuoka Yutaka , Ohnishi Masafumi , Uchida Kazuharu , Kobayashi Takaaki 
Published: April 2020

In organ transplantation, donor‐specific HLA antibody (DSA) is considered a major cause of graft rejection. Because DSA targets primarily donor‐specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expressed on graft endothelial cells, the prevention of its expression is a possible strategy for avoiding or salvaging DSA‐mediated graft rejection. We examined the effect of various clinically used drugs on HLA class II expression on endothelial cells. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐induced HLA class II DR (HLA‐DR) was downregulated by everolimus (EVR, 49.1% ± 0.8%; P < 0.01) and fluvastatin (FLU, 33.8% ± 0.6%; P < 0.01). Moreover, the combination of EVR and FLU showed a greater suppressive effect on HLA‐DR expression. In contrast, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, and prednisolone did not exhibit any significant suppressive effect. FLU, but not EVR, suppressed mRNA of HLA‐DR. Imaging analysis revealed that HLA‐DR expressed in cytosol or on the cell surface was repressed by EVR (cytosol: 58.6% ± 4.9%, P < 0.01; cell surface: 80.9% ± 4.0%, P < 0.01) and FLU (cytosol: 19.0% ± 3.4%, P < 0.01; cell surface: 48.3% ± 4.8%, P < 0.01). These data indicated that FLU and EVR suppressed IFN‐γ‐induced HLA‐DR expression at the transcriptional and post‐translational level, respectively, suggesting a potential approach for alleviating DSA‐related issues in organ transplantation.
The Role of Batteries for the Successful Transition to Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Bresser Dominic , Moretti Arianna , Varzi Alberto , Passerini Stefano 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The successful transition to renewable energy sources is at least one of the most important challenges of our society in order to (i) ensure a sustainable and durable energy supply – not only for today and tomorrow, but also for future generations – and (ii) to prevent climate change and its severe consequences caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Along with this transition, electrochemical energy storage in batteries is considered a key enabler, as it allows for matching the intermittent energy supply by renewables with the frequently diverging power demand of industry and private households, while simultaneously affording a high degree of mobility. Depending on the final application, however, batteries have to fulfill rather different requirements in terms of, e.g. energy density, safety, and cost. At this point, the richness of battery chemistry and design demonstrates its great strength, allowing for highly tailorable energy storage solutions for a wide range of applications, including (but not limited to) stationary devices, vehicles, and portable electronics.
The impact of corrected field output factors based on IAEA/AAPM code of practice on small‐field dosimetry to the calculated monitor unit in eclipse™ treatment planning system
Authors: Mamesa Sammuel , Oonsiri Sornjarod , Sanghangthum Taweap , Yabsantia Sumalee , Suriyapee Sivalee 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of field output factors (FOFs) according to the current protocol for small‐field dosimetry in conjunction to treatment planning system (TPS) commissioning. The calculated monitor unit (MU) for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans in Eclipse™ TPS were observed. Micro ion chamber (0.01 CC) (CC01), photon field diode (shielded diode) (PFD), and electron field diode (unshielded diode) (EFD) were used to measure percentage depth doses, beam profiles, and FOFs from 1 × 1 cm2 to 10 × 10 cm2 field sizes of 6 MV photon beams. CC01 illustrated the highest percentage depth doses at 10 cm depth while EFD exhibited the lowest with the difference of 1.6% at 1 × 1 cm2. CC01 also produced slightly broader penumbra, the difference with other detectors was within 1 mm. For uncorrected FOF of three detectors, the maximum percent standard deviation (%SD) was 5.4% at 1 × 1 cm2 field size. When the correction factors were applied, this value dropped to 2.7%. For the calculated MU in symmetric field sizes, beam commissioning group from uncorrected FOF demonstrated maximum %SD of 6.0% at 1 × 1 cm2 field size. This value decreased to 2.2% when the corrected FOF was integrated. For the calculated MU in IMRT‐SRS plans, the impact of corrected FOF reduced the maximum %SD from 6.0% to 2.5% in planning target volume (PTV) less than 0.5 cm3. Beam commissioning using corrected FOF also decreased %SD for VMAT‐SRS plans, although it was less pronounced in comparison to other treatment planning techniques, since the %SD remained less than 2%. The use of FOFs based on IAEA/AAPM TRS 483 has been proven in this research to reduce the discrepancy of calculated MU among three beam commissioning datasets in Eclipse™ TPS. The dose measurement of both symmetric field and clinical cases comparing to the calculation illustrated the dependence of the types of detector commissioning and the algorithm of the treatment planning for small field size.
The potential of an optical surface tracking system in non‐coplanar single isocenter treatments of multiple brain metastases
Authors: Swinnen Ans C. C. , Öllers Michel C. , Loon Ong Chin , Verhaegen Frank 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTo evaluate the accuracy of a commercial optical surface tracking (OST) system and to demonstrate how it can be implemented to monitor patient positioning during non‐coplanar single isocenter stereotactic treatments of brain metastases. A 3‐camera OST system was used (Catalyst HD™, C‐RAD) on a TruebeamSTx with a 6DoF couch. The setup accuracy and agreement between the OST system, and CBCT and kV‐MV imaging at couch angles 0° and 270°, respectively, were examined. Film measurements at 3 depths in the Rando‐Alderson phantom were performed using a single isocenter non‐coplanar VMAT plan containing 4 brain lesions. Setup of the phantom was performed with CBCT at couch 0° and subsequently monitored by OST at other couch angles. Setup data for 7 volunteers were collected to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of the OST system at couch angles 0°, 45°, 90°, 315°, and 270°. These results were also correlated to the couch rotation offsets obtained by a Winston‐Lutz (WL) test. The Rando‐Alderson phantom, as well as volunteers, were fixated using open face masks (Orfit). For repeated tests with the Rando‐Alderson phantom, deviations between rotational and translational isocenter corrections for CBCT and OST systems are always within 0.2° (pitch, roll, yaw), and 0.1mm and 0.5mm (longitudinal, lateral, vertical) for couch positions 0° and 270°, respectively. Dose deviations between the film and TPS doses in the center of the 4 lesions were −1.2%, −0.1%, −0.0%, and −1.9%. Local gamma evaluation criteria of 2%/2 mm and 3%/1 mm yielded pass rates of 99.2%, 99.2%, 98.6%, 89.9% and 98.8%, 97.5%, 81.7%, 78.1% for the 4 lesions. Regarding the volunteers, the mean translational and rotational isocenter shift values were (0.24 ± 0.09) mm and (0.15 ± 0.07) degrees. Largest isocenter shifts were found for couch angles 45˚ and 90˚, confirmed by WL couch rotation offsets. Patient monitoring during non‐coplanar VMAT treatments of brain metastases is feasible with submillimeter accuracy.
Phototuning Energy Transfer in Self‐Organized Luminescent Helical Superstructures for Photonic Applications
Authors: Lin Siyang , Sun Hao , Qiao Jinghui , Ding Xiaokang , Guo Jinbao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractStimuli‐triggered changes in the emission color of functional materials are in demand for a variety of potential applications. Herein, a strategy to reversibly phototune fluorescence color in cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) with self‐organized luminescent helical superstructure via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is developed. This dynamic FRET system is constructed by doping with 1,2‐dithienyldicyanoethene‐based chiral fluorescent photoswitch (switch 7) as an acceptor and a conventional coumarin dye C6 as a donor into a nematic liquid crystal (LC) host. The efficient energy transfer from C6 to switch 7 in the LC media, which is evidenced by both of emission color shift and enhanced circularly polarized luminescence, can be modulated on the basis of reversible trans–cis photoisomerization of switch 7 upon visible/UV light irradiations, leading to the emission color change from orange to green. Noteworthily, the FRET efficiency can be significantly improved when CLCs are confined in the polymer microtubes. Preliminary demonstrations of the LC film and LC microtubes array for information display and encryption with ease of electrical operation between planar, homeotropic, and focal conic states or light manipulation are described.
Residual herbicide concentrations in on‐farm water storage–tailwater recovery systems: Preliminary assessment
Authors: Grantz Erin M. , Leslie Deborah , Reba Michele , Willett Cammy 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOn‐farm water storage–tailwater recovery systems reduce groundwater usage and intercept agrochemical loads, but pesticide residue dynamics in these systems are not well understood. This study monitored concentrations of seven herbicides in seven northeast Arkansas tailwater recovery systems (April 2017–March 2018). Clomazone, glyphosate, metolachlor, and quinclorac were frequently detected, with minimal detections of 2,4‐D, dicamba, and propanil. Concentrations peaked during the growing season (1 Apr.–15 Sept.), reflecting an interaction of application and precipitation. Clomazone, glyphosate, and quinclorac concentrations were greater in ditches (<0.80–67, <0.50–6.2, and <0.40–62 μg L−1, respectively) than in the associated reservoir (<0.80–6.0, <0.50–4.1, and <0.40–6.0 μg L−1, respectively), but metolachlor concentrations were not different between structure types (maximum 22–32 μg L−1). Off‐season concentrations were mostly below detection, except for quinclorac. Cycling recovered tailwater through the system and irrigating from reservoirs may minimize risk of cross‐crop contaminations with residual herbicides. Managed groundwater recharge should use reservoir water during winter to protect groundwater quality.
Perioperative antithrombotic management of patients who receive direct oral anticoagulants during gastroenterological surgery
Authors: Fujikawa Takahisa , Takahashi Ryo , Naito Shigetoshi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimWe investigated the effect of perioperative management of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on bleeding and thromboembolic complications during gastroenterological (GE) surgery.MethodsA total of 334 patients receiving anticoagulants and undergoing elective GE surgery between 2012 and 2018 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: patients receiving warfarin (WF, n = 231), patients receiving DOACs with heparin bridging (DOAC‐HB, n = 34), and patients receiving DOAC without heparin bridging (DOAC‐NHB, n = 69). Outcome variables were compared between the groups and the risk factors of postoperative bleeding were assessed using logistic multivariate analysis.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in background characteristics between the groups. There were similarities between the groups in surgical blood loss (P = .772) and rate of intraoperative transfusion (P = .952). Thromboembolic complications only occurred in two patients in the WF group (0.9%), and no thromboembolism occurred in the DOAC groups. The incidence of major postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in DOAC‐HB group than in the other groups (14.7% vs 4.8% vs 1.4%, P = .011). Multivariate analysis showed DOAC with heparin bridging to be the most significant risk factor of major postoperative bleeding (odds ratio = 11.60, P = .028).ConclusionsElective GE surgery can be safely performed in patients receiving DOACs without heparin bridging. Perioperative heparin bridging during DOAC interruption is not recommended even for patients undergoing major GE surgery due to increased postoperative bleeding.
Solubility of CO2 in three cellulose‐dissolving ionic liquids
Authors: Pérez Eduardo , de Pablo Laura , Segovia José J. , Moreau Alejandro , Sánchez Francisco A. , Pereda Selva , Bermejo María D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe solubility of CO2 in three cellulose‐dissolving ionic liquids (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium diethylphosphate, [Emim][DEP], 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [Amim][Cl], and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [Bmim][Cl]) at temperatures within 298 and 356 K and pressures up to 6.5 MPa was determined using a Van Ness‐type apparatus (static isochoric). It was demonstrated that this device can work in isothermal and isoplethal modes, being the latter faster and more precise. Moreover, it was possible to determine CO2 solubilities in metastable liquid [Bmim][Cl]. Experimental data were modeled using the Extended Henry's law correlation and the group contribution equation of state. New parameters for the binary interaction of CO2 with ionic liquid groups were calculated.
Do dental nonmetric traits actually work as proxies for neutral genomic data? Some answers from continental‐ and global‐level analyses
Authors: Irish Joel D. , Morez Adeline , Girdland Flink Linus , Phillips Emma L.W. , Scott G. Richard 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesCrown and root traits, like those in the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS), are seemingly useful as genetic proxies. However, recent studies report mixed results concerning their heritability, and ability to assess variation to the level of genomic data. The aim is to test further if such traits can approximate genetic relatedness, among continental and global samples.Materials and MethodsFirst, for 12 African populations, Mantel correlations were calculated between mean measure of divergence (MMD) distances from up to 36 ASUDAS traits, and FST distances from >350,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among matched dental and genetic samples. Second, among 32 global samples, MMD and FST distances were again compared. Correlations were also calculated between them and inter‐sample geographic distances to further evaluate correspondence.ResultsA close ASUDAS/SNP association, based on MMD and F
ST correlations, is evident, with r
m‐values between .72 globally and .84 in Africa. The same is true concerning their association with geographic distances, from .68 for a 36‐trait African MMD to .77 for F
ST globally; one exception is F
ST and African geographic distances, r
m = 0.49. Partial MMD/F
ST correlations controlling for geographic distances are strong for Africa (.78) and moderate globally (.4).DiscussionRelative to prior studies, MMD/F
ST correlations imply greater dental and genetic correspondence; for studies allowing direct comparison, the present correlations are markedly stronger. The implication is that ASUDAS traits are reliable proxies for genetic data—a positive conclusion, meaning they can be used with or instead of genomic markers when the latter are unavailable.
NaGaS2: An Elusive Layered Compound with Dynamic Water Absorption and Wide‐Ranging Ion‐Exchange Properties
Authors: Klepov Vladislav V. , Berseneva Anna A. , Pace Kristen A. , Kocevski Vancho , Sun Mengqi , Qiu Peng , Wang Hui , Chen Fanglin , Besmann Theodore M. , zur Loye Hans‐Conrad 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMost ternary sulfides belonging to the MGaS2 structure‐type have been known for many years and are well‐characterized. Surprisingly, there have been no reports of the NaGaS2 composition, which contains Na, a monovalent cation slightly larger in size than Li, found in LiGaS2, a compound known for its non‐linear optical properties. Now it is demonstrated for the first time that the unique reversible water absorption in NaGaS2 has resulted in its absence from previous reports owing to difficulties encountered when characterizing this compound by SC XRD. The layered structure of this compound coupled with uniquely easy migration of water molecules between the layers allows for ion exchange with 3d and 5f metal cations. Some cations, for example, Ni2+, facilitate exfoliation of the layers, providing a facile synthetic route to a new class of 2D chalcogenide materials and furthermore demonstrating that NaGaS2 can readily uptake uranyl species from aqueous solutions.
Nanocatalosomes as Plasmonic Bilayer Shells with Interlayer Catalytic Nanospaces for Solar‐Light‐Induced Reactions
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kumari Nitee , Dubbu Sateesh , Kumar Sumit , Kwon Taewan , Koo Jung Hun , Lim Jongwon , Kim Inki , Cho Yoon‐Kyoung , Rho Junsuk , Lee In Su 
Published: April 2020

AbstractInterest and challenges remain in designing and synthesizing catalysts with nature‐like complexity at few‐nm scale to harness unprecedented functionalities by using sustainable solar light. We introduce “nanocatalosomes”—a bio‐inspired bilayer‐vesicular design of nanoreactor with metallic bilayer shell‐in‐shell structure, having numerous controllable confined cavities within few‐nm interlayer space, customizable with different noble metals. The intershell‐confined plasmonically coupled hot‐nanospaces within the few‐nm cavities play a pivotal role in harnessing catalytic effects for various organic transformations, as demonstrated by “acceptorless dehydrogenation”, “Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling” and “alkynyl annulation” affording clean conversions and turnover frequencies (TOFs) at least one order of magnitude higher than state‐of‐the‐art Au‐nanorod‐based plasmonic catalysts. This work paves the way towards next‐generation nanoreactors for chemical transformations with solar energy.