bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Swelling of Bentonite-Sand Mixtures After Long-Term Dissolution in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Xiang Guosheng , Ye Weimin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlkaline solutions have significant effects on the mineral composition and on the microstructure of bentonite; in relevant geoenvironmental engineering applications, therefore, the properties of bentonite buffer materials must be taken into consideration in the presence of alkaline solutions. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of alkaline conditions on the swelling of bentonite mixed with sand. Bentonite-sand mixtures were soaked in a NaOH solution and allowed to react over prescribed periods of 6, 12, and 24 months. Swelling deformation tests were conducted on the alkali-treated bentonite-sand mixtures; the swelling of the mixtures decreased significantly with increased reaction time. The fractal ec-σ relationship (ec is void ratio of bentonite, σ is vertical stress) was employed to express the swelling characteristics of the alkali-treated mixtures, wherein the swelling coefficient decreased as the bentonite content was reduced. Dissolution traces over the clay surfaces degraded the microstructural phase, thereby slightly increasing the fractal dimension. At higher dosages of bentonite, the swelling of bentonite-sand mixtures always followed a similar ec-σ relationship as that found for bentonite alone. On the contrary, in the mixtures with a small bentonite content that surpassed the designated threshold pressure, the void ratio of clay in the mixtures deviated from the ec-σ curve due to the appearance of the sand skeleton. The bentonite content for a particular bentonite-sand mixture at which deviation from the ec-σ curve began was ~50%. This deviation was almost negligible at 50% initial bentonite content in the bentonite-sand mixtures; after treatment with NaOH solution, however, a pronounced deviation in the ec-σ curve was observed which was caused mainly by the decrease in the bentonite percentage. Finally, the vertical pressure threshold was also estimated using the ec-σ relation for bentonite-sand mixtures with small bentonite contents over a range of various alkaline solution reaction times.
Animal hoarding and its effects on children: observations from a humane
law enforcement professional
Authors: Crawford Dez 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Children raised in animal hoarding situations experience both short- and
long-term physical and emotional hazards. Far too often, the needs of
children are under-served due to lack of interagency cooperation, societal
misperceptions and other mitigating factors. These issues are discussed as
they relate to the effects of animal hoarding on children in the home.
Content is drawn from the lifelong experience of a humane law enforcement
and animal care professional. A sampling of case studies is offered, and
observations are presented regarding the immediate and long-term risks and
trauma experienced by children in the hands of people who hoard animals.
Included are a universal definition of animal hoarding, an explanation of
animal behaviour in hoarded homes, information about humane law enforcement
agencies and problems associated with a lack of interagency
cooperation.
Commercial Use of the Emblems of International Bodies: The Case of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Authors: RETAMOSA JOSÉ MANUEL VELASCO 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with a functional organization based on a structure of national societies and committees that independently represent it and carry out its work in numerous countries around the world. An essential element of this NGO’s functions, which are indeed very special, is the emblem that marks all of the activities the organization carries out, a symbol that is truly known in every corner of the globe. Given the organization’s prestige and everything its emblem represents, the need to protect this symbol arises in all contexts where it might be used, whether by the ICRC itself or by third parties, with or without authorization. This article reviews the numerous international, national, and internal rules that seek to regulate this emblem and its protection in all such models of its potential use.
Preparing for the Second Surge: Preventing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Building Resilience for Health Care Workers in the Face of COVID-19
Authors: Benham Todd L. , Hart Alexander , Bortolin Michelangelo , Court Michael , Groves John , Kraus Anthony , Newbury Brad , Voskanyan Amalia , Yogman Madeline , AlHajjaj Fahad , AlMalki Yousef , Alossaimi Bader , Awoniyi Oluwafunbi , Bardeesi Adham Sameer , Cattamanchi Srihari , Edwards Bridget , Hernandez Anthony , Issa Fadi , Manners Philip , Molloy Michael , Romney Douglas , Weiner Debra , Ciottone Gregory R. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTThe global community needs to be aware of the potential psychosocial consequences that may be experienced by health care workers who are actively managing patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These health care workers are at increased risk for experiencing mood and trauma-related disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this concept article, strategies are recommended for individual health care workers and hospital leadership to aid in mitigating the risk of PTSD, as well as to build resilience in light of a potential second surge of COVID-19.
Clade-specific variation in susceptibility of Candida auris to broad-spectrum ultraviolet C light (UV-C)
Authors: Chatterjee Piyali , Choi Hosoon , Ochoa Brennan , Garmon Gennifer , Coppin John D. , Allton Yonhui , Lukey Janell , Williams Marjory D. , Navarathna Dhammika , Jinadatha Chetan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground:Candida auris is an emerging and often multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with an exceptional ability to persist on hospital surfaces. These surfaces can act as a potential source of transmission. Therefore, effective disinfection strategies are urgently needed. We investigated the efficacy of ultraviolet C light (UV-C) disinfection for C. auris isolates belonging to 4 different clades.Methods:In vitro testing of C. auris isolates was conducted using 106 colony-forming units (CFU) spread on 20-mm diameter steel carriers and exposed to a broad-spectrum UV-C light source for 10, 20, and 30 minutes at a 1.5 m (5 feet) distance. Post-UV survivors on the coupons were subsequently plated. Colony counts and log reductions were recorded, calculated, and compared to untreated control carriers. Identification of all isolates were confirmed by MALDI-TOF and morphology was visualized by microscopy.Results:We observed an increased susceptibility of C. auris to UV-C in 8 isolates belonging to clades I, II and IV with increasing UV exposure time. The range of log kill (0.8–1.19) was highest for these isolates at 30 minutes. But relatively no change in log kill (0.04–0.35) with increasing time in isolates belonging to clade III were noted. Interestingly, C. auris isolates susceptible to UV-C were mostly nonaggregating, but the isolates that were more resistant to UV exposure formed aggregates.Conclusions:Our study suggests variability in susceptibility to UV-C of C. auris isolates belonging to different clades. More studies are needed to assess whether a cumulative impact of prolonged UV-C exposure provides additional benefit.
Dynamically formed black hole binaries: In-cluster versus ejected mergers
Authors: Anagnostou O. , Trenti M. , Melatos A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe growing number of black hole binary (BHB) mergers detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory have the potential to enable an unprecedented characterisation of the physical processes and astrophysical conditions that govern the formation of compact binaries. In this paper, we focus on investigating the dynamical formation of BHBs in dense star clusters through a state-of-the-art set of 58 direct N-body simulations with N$\leqslant200\,000$particles which include stellar evolution, gravitational braking, orbital decay through gravitational radiation, and galactic tidal interactions. The simulations encompass a range of initial conditions representing typical young globular clusters, including the presence of primordial binaries. The systems are simulated for$\sim 12$Gyr. The dataset yields 117 BHB gravitational wave (GW) events, with 97 binaries merging within their host cluster and 20 merging after having been ejected. Only 8% of all ejected BHBs merge within the age of the Universe. Systems in this merging subset tend to have smaller separations and larger eccentricities, as this combination of parameters results in greater emission of gravitational radiation. We confirm known trends from Monte Carlo simulations, such as the anti-correlation between the mass of the binary and age of the cluster. In addition, we highlight for the first time a difference at low values of the mass ratio distribution between in-cluster and ejected mergers. However, the results depend on assumptions on the strength of GW recoils, thus in-cluster mergers cannot be ruled out at a significant level of confidence. A more substantial catalogue of BHB mergers and a more extensive library of N-body simulations are needed to constrain the origin of the observed events.
Dietary diversity scores, nutrient intakes and biomarkers vitamin B12, folate and Hb in rural youth from the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study
Authors: Ganpule-Rao A. V. , Bhat D. , Yajnik C. S. , Rush E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHidden hunger is widespread in India. Individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) is a measure of the nutrient adequacy of the diet. The FAO has set guidelines for the measurement of dietary diversity: the IDDS and the minimum dietary diversity score for women (MDD-W) to assess nutritional deficiency, but validation against nutritional biomarkers is required. Using available data among rural youth (17 years) from the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study, the validity of DDS was assessed to measure deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate and Hb. Of the 355 boys and 305 girls, 19 % were classified as underweight, 57 % as vitamin B12 deficient (<150 pmol/l) and 22 % as anaemic (<120/130 g/l). Cereals, legumes and ‘other-vegetables’ were the most frequently consumed foods. More boys than girls consumed milk, flesh, eggs and micronutrient-dense foods. Median IDDS of 4 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–4) and MDD-W of 6 (IQR 5–7) were low. Youth with vitamin B12 deficiency had a higher likelihood of an IDDS ≤ 4 (1·89; 95 % CI 1·24, 2·87) or an MDD-W ≤ 5 (1·40; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·94). Youth with anaemia were more likely to have an IDDS ≤ 4 (1·76; 95 % CI 1·01, 3·14) adjusted for socio-economic scores, BMI, energy intake and sex. Folate deficiency was low (3 %) and was not associated with either score. Youth with lowest plasma vitamin B12 and Hb infrequently or never consumed dairy products/non-vegetarian foods. These rural Indian youth were underweight, had low DDS and consumed foods low in good-quality proteins and micronutrients. Associations of DDS with circulating micronutrients indicate that DDS is a valid measure to predict vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia.
Environmental and economic impacts of pesticide treatment in the Yam Minisett Technique
Authors: Morse Stephen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is an important tuber crop in a number of countries, but especially in West Africa where it serves as a food staple as well as a cash crop as excess production is sold in local markets. But the availability of quality planting material, most notably seed yams, for yam production remains an important constraint for farmers. Techniques have been developed to help address this limitation by cutting yam tubers into pieces (minisetts), treating them with the pesticide either via a seed dressing dust or pesticide ‘dips’ and planting to grow seed yams of the required size and quality. But while there have been many studies on the agronomy and adoption by farmers of these techniques, there have been fewer studies on their economic performance. Indeed, to date there have been no studies that compare the economic performance of treating setts compared to leaving them untreated, and neither has there been any analysis of the environmental impact of treating setts. This paper reports the results of a study designed to address these two gaps in knowledge and is based upon results from a series of farmer-managed seed yam plots established in the middle belt of Nigeria over 4 years (2013–2016). Results suggest that revenue and gross margin were higher for treated versus untreated setts although the latter still performed relatively well. Using the Field Use Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), the commonly recommended pesticide sett treatments were estimated to have a low-to-moderate environmental impact, and further research is needed to see how far pesticide use can be reduced to still be effective and minimise any environmental impact.
First zoeal stage morphology of Alpheus carlae and A. intrinsecus (Decapoda, Caridea, Alpheidae) obtained in the laboratory
Authors: Pantaleão João Alberto Farinelli , Pescinelli Régis Augusto , Costa Rogério Caetano , Cuesta Jose A. , Mantelatto Fernando Luis 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe first zoeal stages of the snapping shrimps Alpheus carlae and A. intrinsecus from Brazil were obtained from laboratory-hatched specimens and a detailed morphological description is provided. The morphological characteristics of both species are compared with available descriptions of other Alpheus species with a known first zoeal stage. Remarks from a semi-quantitative comparison of species belonging to A. armillatus species complex (A. carlae and A. brasileiro) and a comparison between larvae of A. intrinsecus from two localities in Brazil are presented. It was possible to distinguish first zoea of both species from the other congeners based on morphology. No intraspecific variability was detected between A. intrinsecus larvae obtained from two locations. Some structures showed differences between species of the A. armillatus complex. However, generalizations and conclusions based on larval morphology for taxonomic rearrangements at this point need to be made with caution and accuracy, since data of a sufficient number of species are not yet available for comparison.
Integrating camera traps and community knowledge to assess the status of the Indian pangolinManis crassicaudatain the Eastern Ghats, India
Authors: Aditya Vikram , Komanduri Krishna Pavan , Subhedar Rohit , Ganesh Thyagarajan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPangolins are the most trafficked animals globally. Although the Indian pangolinManis crassicaudataoccurs across the Indian subcontinent (excluding parts of the Himalayas and the north-east, where the Chinese pangolinManis pentadactylais present), it is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List as a result of heavy poaching for its meat and scales. Several areas have not yet been surveyed for the occurrence of the Indian pangolin, one of which is the 16,948 km2tropical deciduous forests of the northern Eastern Ghats landscape in Andhra Pradesh. During December 2017–April 2018, we surveyed 750 km2of this landscape for the presence of the Indian pangolin, using camera traps. As an alternative method to document pangolin presence, and to identify factors driving hunting of the species, we also conducted, during the same period, a total of 60 semi-structured interviews with people in 30 villages. Interviewees reported the presence of pangolins in a majority of the grid cells that we surveyed with camera traps, particularly in moist deciduous forests distant from villages. However, the camera traps did not detect pangolins in 840 trap-days. Hunting of pangolins for their meat, which is consumed locally, and for their scales, which are traded, is most likely the reason for the rarity of the species in this landscape. A better understanding of the proximate and ultimate drivers of pangolin hunting is required, to inform proactive conservation management for this increasingly threatened species.
Perfect Torque Compensation of Planar 5R Parallel Robot in Point-to-Point Motions, Optimal Control Approach
Authors: Vezvari Mojtaba Riyahi , Nikoobin Amin , Ghoddosian Ali 
Published: October 2020

SUMMARYIn this paper, a new approach is presented for perfect torque compensation of the robot in point-to-point motions. The proposed method is formulated as an open-loop optimal control problem. The problem is defined as optimal trajectory planning with adjustable design parameters to compensate applied torques of a planar 5R parallel robot for a given task, perfectly. To illustrate the effectiveness of the approach, the obtained optimal path is used as the reference command in the experiment. The experimental outputs show that the performance index has been reduced by over 80% compared to the typical design of the robot.
Does the number of embryos loaded on a single cryo-carrier affect post-vitrification survival rate?
Authors: Aizer Adva , Noach-Hirsh Meirav , Dratviman-Storobinsky Olga , Haas Jigal , Orvieto Raoul 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground:We aimed to assess whether the survival rate of embryos is influenced by the number of embryos/oocytes loaded on a single cryo-carrier during vitrification.Methods:This was a retrospective study that included 974 patients who underwent thawing of 1896 embryo-warming cycles between September 2016 and January 2020. A distinct analysis was made for cleavage stage embryos (2–10-cell stage) and blastocysts. For vitrification, embryos were placed in a Cryotop™ open device using a SAGE vitrification kit following the manufacturer’s instructions. Warming was carried using a SAGE warming vitrification kit according the manufacturer’s instructions.Results:Total post-vitrification survival rates of embryos at the cleavage stage or blastocyst stage was 94.8%. At the cleavage stage, cryo-preserving three embryos per single cryo-carrier gave the highest full intact embryo survival rate (91.5%) compared with one or two embryo(s) per single cryo-carrier (85.7%, P < 0.0002 and 87.3%, P < 0.004). Conversely, post warmed full intact blastocyst survival rate for two blastocysts was significantly lower compared with one blastocyst (76.7% vs. 87.9%, P < 0.0193) per single cryo-carrier.Conclusion:Post-thawing survival rate following vitrification is affected by the number of embryos per single cryo-carrier undergoing the vitrification equilibration phase, with the optimum number of three cleaved embryos or one blastocyst per single cryo-carrier. Further studies are required to determine the optimum number of cleaved embryos or blastocysts that should be loaded onto a single cryo-carrier vitrification device.
Ram semen quality can be assessed by flow cytometry several hours after post-fixation
Authors: Vašíček Jaromír , Svoradová Andrea , Baláži Andrej , Jurčík Rastislav , Macháč Marián , Chrenek Peter 
Published: October 2020

SummaryRam spermatozoa are very sensitive to any cold shock or oxidative damage, therefore making them unsuitable for prolonged storage or distant transport to specialized laboratories for flow-cytometric analysis. The aim of this study was to stain ram semen samples with several fluorescent markers and analyse their stability during formaldehyde fixation. Briefly, freshly collected semen samples were stained for apoptosis (annexin V-FITC, YO-PRO™-1 and FLICA), acrosomal damage (PNA-AF488 and FITC-conjugated antibody against GAPDHS), mitochondrial activity (Mitotracker probes), oxidative damage [dihydroethidium (DHE) and CellROX™ Green] and cell viability (live/dead fixable viability dyes). Next, samples were fixed in buffer containing formaldehyde and then washed. Stained sample were analyzed using flow cytometer before fixation, immediately after fixation, and at 5 h and 20 h post-fixation. Fluorescent signals and the proportion of positively stained spermatozoa were compared statistically in fresh and post-fixed samples. All examined markers, except YO-PRO-1 (decreased significantly, P < 0.05), retained their fluorescence intensities after fixation. In conclusion, several tested markers were able to withstand formaldehyde fixation of ram semen samples as follows: annexin V and FLICA for apoptosis; PNA for acrosomal status; MitoTracker Red CMXRos for mitochondrial activity; and CellROX Green for oxidative status in combination with a suitable live/dead fixable viability dye. This optimized methodology could help to comprehensively analyse the quality of ram semen from local farms countrywide.
Identifying Sensitive Measures of Cognitive Decline at Different Clinical Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jutten Roos J. , Sikkes Sietske A.M. , Amariglio Rebecca E. , Buckley Rachel F. , Properzi Michael J. , Marshall Gad A. , Rentz Dorene M. , Johnson Keith A. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Van Berckel Bart N.M. , Van der Flier Wiesje M. , Scheltens Philip , Sperling Reisa A. , Papp Kathryn V. ,   for the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative,   National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, the Harvard Aging Brain Study, and the Alzheimer Dementia Cohort
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjective:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) studies are increasingly targeting earlier (pre)clinical populations, in which the expected degree of observable cognitive decline over a certain time interval is reduced as compared to the dementia stage. Consequently, endpoints to capture early cognitive changes require refinement. We aimed to determine the sensitivity to decline of widely applied neuropsychological tests at different clinical stages of AD as outlined in the National Institute on Aging – Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) research framework.Method:Amyloid-positive individuals (as determined by positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid) with longitudinal neuropsychological assessments available were included from four well-defined study cohorts and subsequently classified among the NIA-AA stages. For each stage, we investigated the sensitivity to decline of 17 individual neuropsychological tests using linear mixed models.Results:1103 participants (age = 70.54 ± 8.7, 47% female) were included: n = 120 Stage 1, n = 206 Stage 2, n = 467 Stage 3 and n = 309 Stage 4. Neuropsychological tests were differentially sensitive to decline across stages. For example, Category Fluency captured significant 1-year decline as early as Stage 1 (β = −.58, p < .001). Word List Delayed Recall (β = −.22, p < .05) and Trail Making Test (β = 6.2, p < .05) became sensitive to 1-year decline in Stage 2, whereas the Mini-Mental State Examination did not capture 1-year decline until Stage 3 (β = −1.13, p < .001) and 4 (β = −2.23, p < .001).Conclusions:We demonstrated that commonly used neuropsychological tests differ in their ability to capture decline depending on clinical stage within the AD continuum (preclinical to dementia). This implies that stage-specific cognitive endpoints are needed to accurately assess disease progression and increase the chance of successful treatment evaluation in AD.