bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Graphene Oxide Sheet Size on the Response of a Label‐free Voltammetric Immunosensor for Cancer Marker VEGF
Authors: Elshafey Reda , Brisebois Patrick , Abdulkarim Haya , Izquierdo Ricardo , Tavares Ana C. , Siaj Mohamed 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGraphene and graphene oxide (GO) materials have attracted enormous attention in the biosensing field. Here, we report an evaluation of electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) of different sheet sizes (0.45–0.7 μm, 0.7–2.5 μm and >300 μm) towards the voltammetric biosensing of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the effect of the sheet size on the sensitivity of graphene‐based electrochemical biosensors. The degree of GO reduction and flakes sizes differ from one chemical route to another and ERGO with different sheet sizes have different amounts of edge and basal planes defects derived from oxygen containing functional groups. These could enhance or inhibit the sensitivity of the graphene‐based electrochemical sensors. The extent of reduction of GO to ERGO was found to vary with the sheet size. The decrease of the square wave voltammetry peak current of the [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− couple upon VEGF binding to the immunosensor was employed as the sensor signal. It was found that the ERGO (0.7–2.5 μm) platform has the best performance for the detection of VEGF when compared to the other ERGO materials. The immunosensor showed a wide linear range of 0.1 pg mL−1 to 100 ng mL−1 and LOD of ∼0.1 pg mL−1. The VEGF immunosensor was tested in human serum as a real sample application. The fabricated immunosensor exhibited high selectivity for VEGF against other protein interferences.
Secure content‐based image retrieval using modified Euclidean distance for encrypted features
Authors: Majhi Mukul , Pal Arup Kumar , Islam SK Hafizul , Khurram Khan Muhammad 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this article, a secure image retrieval scheme is proposed, which focuses on providing satisfactory retrieval results, and the framework searches relevant images even in an encrypted domain without compromising the performance of the retrieval process. Initially, bit‐level features have been endeavored from the luminance component of the image, from which statistical parameters are computed to generate more intrinsic values. These values are subsequently divided into bins to configure two histograms, which effectively reduce the length of the feature vector. These histograms are then eventually combined with quantized chrominance features to enhance the discriminative property of the feature vector. Since the proposed scheme is in the encrypted domain, conventional similarity measure distance for the image is not well suited. So, a modified Euclidean distance is incorporated, which is modeled to work with encrypted features. To comprehend the security, a piecewise logistic map sequence is considered, where seed values are assimilated to generate two secret keys. As a result, not only the system provides an efficient, secure retrieval system but also cryptographic components have no impact on its retrieval efficiency, and satisfactory results are obtained. Experimental results on Corel‐1K and GHIM‐10K illustrate decent performance in retrieval as compared to existing work in the retrieval domain.
Social cognition: Patterns of impairments in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Belfort Tatiana , Simões José Pedro , Santos Raquel Luiza , Lacerda Isabel , Dourado Marcia Cristina Nascimento 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveSocial cognition (SC) deficits in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are commonly associated with the progression of the disease, and mainly as a result of global cognition deterioration. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SC, global cognition, and other clinical variables in mild and moderate people with AD and their caregivers. We also investigated the differences between self‐reported SC and family caregivers' ratings of SC.MethodsWe included 137 dyads of people with AD (87 mild and 50 moderate) and caregivers. We evaluated social cognition, global cognition, quality of life, dementia severity, mood, functionality, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and caregiver burden.ResultsSC presented a specific pattern of impairment, especially when related to global cognition deficits. Although the moderate AD group showed significant worsening in cognition, functionality and neuropsychiatric symptoms, when compared to the mild group, SC did not present significant differences between the groups. The multivariate regression analysis showed that in the mild group, self‐reported SC was related to age and years of education. In the moderate group, SC was related to gender. For caregivers, in the mild group, SC was related to functionality and quality of life, while in the moderate group, was associated with quality of life.ConclusionThe pattern of impairment of SC may be more stable as it implies interaction with cognition, mainly in the mild stage, but also include subjective factors as a personal perception about oneself and others, values, and beliefs that evokes individual, social, cultural, and contextual factors.
Future projection of the health and functional status of older people in Japan: A multistate transition microsimulation model with repeated cross‐sectional data
Authors: Kasajima Megumi , Hashimoto Hideki , Suen Sze‐Chuan , Chen Brian , Jalal Hawre , Eggleston Karen , Bhattacharya Jay 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAccurate future projections of population health are imperative to plan for the future healthcare needs of a rapidly aging population. Multistate‐transition microsimulation models, such as the U.S. Future Elderly Model, address this need but require high‐quality panel data for calibration. We develop an alternative method that relaxes this data requirement, using repeated cross‐sectional representative surveys to estimate multistate‐transition contingency tables applied to Japan's population. We calculate the birth cohort sex‐specific prevalence of comorbidities using five waves of the governmental health surveys. Combining estimated comorbidity prevalence with death record information, we determine the transition probabilities of health statuses. We then construct a virtual Japanese population aged 60 and older as of 2013 and perform a microsimulation to project disease distributions to 2046. Our estimates replicate governmental projections of population pyramids and match the actual prevalence trends of comorbidities and the disease incidence rates reported in epidemiological studies in the past decade. Our future projections of cardiovascular diseases indicate lower prevalence than expected from static models, reflecting recent declining trends in disease incidence and fatality.
Usability evaluation for South Korean military backpack based on “context of use”
Authors: Lee Jihwan , Cho Kyu‐Jin , Ahn Jooeun , Nam Yun Ja , Yun Myung Hwan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe military backpack used by the infantry imposes the greatest load on the body and, thus, is also the cause of most user complaints. This study (1) establishes a systematic development procedure for a military backpack that reflects user opinion; (2) suggests a usability questionnaire tool that can identify realistic user needs; and (3) proposes usability verification experiments that can quantitatively measure the usability of the military backpacks. The military backpack development procedure was created in accordance with user‐centered design principles. The “context of use” of the military backpack was extracted from a literature review and interviews with experts and actual users. In addition, the usability questionnaire tool and usability verification experiments were devised based on the identified context of use. An analysis of the usability questionnaire answered by 100 infantry soldiers confirms that the region of pain felt by users varies on the size of the human body. Thus, it was possible to recognize the necessity of diversifying the specification of the military backpack. The usability verification experiments did not produce statistical results because only four infantry soldiers performed the pilot test, but the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed experiments could be confirmed through this pilot test. The seven proposed experiments are expected to help confirm the usability differences among different military backpacks or body sizes. The military equipment development procedure, usability evaluation tool, and usability verification experiments are expected to improve user satisfaction and military operations when applied to the development of various military supplies.
Hepatitis B knowledge among women and men in the upper west region of Ghana: What sources of health information matter?
Authors: Anfaara Florence Wullo , Atuoye Kilian Nasung , Antabe Roger , Sano Yujiro , Luginaah Isaac 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDespite the vital role of accurate health information in reducing the spread of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in endemic contexts such as Ghana, little is known about how health information sources may influence disparities in the knowledge of HBV transmission among women and men. This study examines the association between sources of health information and knowledge of HBV transmission in the Upper West Region (UWR) of Ghana. Data from a cross‐sectional survey (n = 1061) was analyzed using gender‐specific multivariate ordered logistic regression models. The results show that, women who obtained health information from religious‐based programs (OR = 4.04, P < .05), higher‐level facilities (OR = 2.37, P < .05), and primary health facilities (OR = 1.83, P < .1) were more likely to have good knowledge of HBV transmission compared to non‐facility‐based programs. Similarly, men who accessed health information from religious‐based programs only, were more likely to have good knowledge of HBV transmission (OR = 2.14, P < .05) compared to non‐facility‐based programs. The results demonstrate the importance of health information sources on knowledge of disease transmission and prevention in a resource‐poor context. Based on our findings, we suggest the scaling‐up of information programs at health facilities in rural areas and the expansion of HBV services in the UWR in contribution towards the attainment of SDG #3.3.
Feasibility of using multiport minichannel as thermosyphon for cooling of miniaturized electronic devices
Authors: Manova Stephen , Asirvatham Lazarus Godson , Nimmagadda Rajesh , Bose Jefferson Raja , Wongwises Somchai 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe feasibility of using multiport minichannel (MPMC) as thermosyphon for cooling miniaturized electronic products is experimentally investigated with acetone as the working fluid. A detailed analysis on thermal performance and entropy generation due to heat transfer and pressure drop with the effects of heat load (10‐50 W), filling ratio (FR; 40%, 50%, and 60%), and inclination angle (45°, 60°, and 90°) has been carried out. The results showed a reduction of 22.2% and 9.31% in thermal resistance and evaporator wall temperature at optimum filling ratio (OFR) of 50%. Reduction in entropy generation due to heat transfer and pressure drop of 16.6% and 12.3%, respectively, was observed at OFR. Internal fins in MPMC increase the surface area and evaporation rate by enhancing heat transfer leading to a decrease in the rate of entropy generation. Multiport increases surface tension of condensate at right angles to the flow direction along with the effects of gravity and enhancing rate of condensation. A new correlation is developed to predict evaporator wall temperature as a function of heat load and FR. The proposed correlation agrees well with a deviation of ±20% with present experimental results and also with the published literature. Thus, the obtained results will be useful in cooling miniaturized electronic devices.
Effectiveness, tolerability, and dropout rates of vortioxetine in comorbid depression: A naturalistic study
Authors: De Carlo Vera , Vismara Matteo , Grancini Benedetta , Benatti Beatrice , Bosi Monica Francesca , Colombo Anna , Viganò Caterina Adele , Dell'Osso Bernardo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveVortioxetine is a novel antidepressant whose safety, tolerability, and therapeutic action have been supported by several studies. The present naturalistic study aimed to characterize its effectiveness, tolerability, and dropout rate in the real world.MethodsTotal sample consisted of 66 outpatients with major depressive episode, treated with vortioxetine, whose clinical variables were evaluated over three time points.ResultsMost common primary diagnoses were major depressive disorder (45.5%) and bipolar disorder (33.4%), with an overall comorbidity rate of 48.5% and concomitant medications in the 89.4%. The mean vortioxetine daily dosage was 12.90 ± 5.65 mg. Effectiveness of vortioxetine through a significant improvement on specific psychometric scales emerged, while only a nonsignificant trend of association between higher dosage and effectiveness was found. In the total sample, 51.5% were classified as responders and 36.4% as remitters. Two‐thirds of subjects did not report side effects, while in the remaining patients, gastrointestinal ones were the most frequent (72.7%). Almost two‐thirds of the sample could complete the follow‐up, while 36.4% dropped out; the main reasons for dropout were side effects (37.5%) and lack of efficacy (29.2%).ConclusionsLarger sample studies are warranted to better characterize vortioxetine effectiveness and tolerability in the real world.
Mercury Exposure and Toxicological Consequences in Fish and Fish-Eating Wildlife from Anthropogenic Activity in Latin America
Authors: Canham Rachel , González-Prieto Ana M , Elliott John E 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Despite the risk of significant adverse toxicological effects of Hg to humans and wildlife, Hg use in anthropogenic activities, and artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in particular, is widespread throughout Latin America. However, there are few research and monitoring studies of Hg toxicity in fish and fish-eating wildlife in Latin America compared to North America. In the present paper, we reviewed the literature from published articles and reports and summarized and assessed data on Hg in fish from 10 391 individuals and 192 species sampled across Latin America. We compared fish Hg levels with toxicity reference values (TRVs) for fish and dietary TRVs for fish-eating wildlife. We determined that fish, piscivorous birds, and other wildlife are at risk of Hg toxicity. We observed a large disparity in data quantity between North and Latin America, and identified regions requiring further investigation. In particular, future biomonitoring and research should focus on exposure of wildlife to Hg in Peru, Chile, Uruguay, the eastern and northern regions of Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia. We also discuss Hg risk assessment methodological issues and recommend that future evaluations of Hg risk to wildlife must collect key physiological variables, including age, body size, and ideally Hg-to-Se molar ratios. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:13–26. © 2020 Environment and Climate Change Canada. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
KEY POINTS
Fish and fish-eating wildlife in Latin America are at risk of Hg toxicity. Small-scale artisanal Au mining is a major source of Hg emissions globally. Comparatively far less research has investigated Hg toxicity in fish and piscivorous birds in South America than in North America. Key physiological variables, such as age, body size, and Hg-to-Se molar ratios, are important factors for evaluation of Hg risk to wildlife.
Selection of high‐risk individuals for esophageal cancer screening: A prediction model of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on a multicenter screening cohort in rural China
Authors: Chen Wanqing , Li He , Ren Jiansong , Zheng Rongshou , Shi Jufang , Li Jiang , Cao Maomao , Sun Dianqin , He Siyi , Sun Xibin , Cao Xiaoqin , Feng Shixian , Zhou Jinyi , Luo Pengfei , Zha Zhenqiu , Jia Shangchun , Wang Jialin , Ma Hengmin , Zeng Hongmei , Canfell Karen , He Jie 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe mortality benefit of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) screening has been reported in several studies; however, the results of ESCC screening programs in China are suboptimal. Our study aimed to develop an ESCC risk prediction model to identify high‐risk individuals for population‐based esophageal cancer screening. In total, 86 745 participants enrolled in a population‐based esophageal cancer screening program in rural China between 2007 and 2012 were included in the present study and followed up until December 31, 2015. Models for identifying individuals at risk of ESCC within 3 years were created using logistic regressions. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was determined to estimate the model's overall performance. A total of 298 individuals were diagnosed with ESCC within 3 years after baseline. The model of ESCC included the predictors of age, sex, family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer, smoking status, alarming symptoms of retrosternal pain, back pain or neck pain, consumption of salted food and fresh fruits and disease history of peptic ulcer or esophagitis (AUC of 0.81; 95% confidence interval: 0.78‐0.83). Compared to the current prescreening strategy in our program, the cut‐off value of 10 in the score‐based model could result in 3.11% fewer individuals subjected to endoscopies and present higher sensitivity, slightly higher specificity and lower number needed to screen. This score‐based risk prediction model of ESCC based on eight epidemiological risk factors could increase the efficiency of the esophageal cancer screening program in rural China.
Leaning against the wind policy and animal spirits in a general equilibrium model
Authors: Ilomäki Jukka , Laurila Hannu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe introduce a general equilibrium model with sticky prices and flexible wages. People live over two periods, investing and working in period 1, and consuming in period 2. In the financial market, some investors are informed about the fundamental stock value, while the rest are not, and trust their gut feeling (animal spirits). The informed investors are risk‐averse, and the correlated animal spirits of the uninformed ones affects the stock market equilibrium thus producing an irrational bubble. We find that central bank's leaning against the wind policy is effective in controlling the bubble, if the uninformed investors discount their animal spirits anticipation of future dividends. Moreover, the paper shows that an irrational bubble may have similar effects on stock market prices as a rational bubble.
Financial constraints and the export decision of Pakistani firms
Authors: Qasim Saira , Rizov Marian , Zhang Xufei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe payment of sunk costs associated with the entry to foreign export markets highlights the significance of financial dimension in the firm decision. The sunk costs become a challenge for the financially constrained firms. In this paper, we study the relationship between financial constraints and the export entry decision of the firms in a lower‐middle income country context. We use new measures of financial constraints in finance literature alongside widely used measures of financial health in trade literature to scrutinise the relationship for Pakistani listed manufacturing firms. We find that being less financially constrained is a vital determinant of the Pakistani firms' export participation decision irrespective the high firm leverage before entry. The undeveloped financial system and heavy reliance on bank loans for external finance in Pakistan may be the plausible explanations for our findings. Our results suggest that measures of financial constraints are more appropriate than the widely used measures of financial health in studying the determinants of the export participation decision. In addition, we find evidence that future exporters improve their financial conditions prior to entering the export markets. However, we do not find any evidence that exporting improves financial conditions of the firms after entry.
Influence of irrigation regimes on alfalfa dry matter yield and water productivity in a semiarid subtropical environment*
Authors: Darapuneni Murali K. , Lauriault Leonard M. , Vanleeuwen Dawn M. , Angadi Sangamesh V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractManaging water in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production is crucial for sustaining the limited surface and groundwater resources. A 3‐year study in eastern New Mexico, USA, compared nine irrigation strategies that included various combinations of in‐season irrigations for six harvests (1–2–3–4–5–6, 1–2–3–4–5, 1–2–3–5, 1–2–3, 2–3–5, 1–2–5, 1–5, and 2–3) plus unirrigated control (none) to evaluate the dry matter (DM) yield production capability and irrigation efficiency. The number in each treatment structure represents irrigation provided for each cutting. For example, number ‘1’ represents irrigation provided for the first cutting; number ‘2’ represents irrigation provided for the second cutting, and so on. The results suggested that terminating irrigation for the last harvest (1–2–3–4–5), equivalent to 96 mm water saving, had no significant negative impact on annual DM yield of established alfalfa compared to season‐long full irrigation (1–2–3–4–5–6) (14.4 vs 13.3 t ha−1; P > 0.05) during the 3‐year study period. Irrigation water productivity was doubled when alfalfa was irrigated during the first three harvests (1–2–3), compared to 1–2–3–4–5–6 (0.050 vs 0.027 t ha−1 mm−1). The second and third harvests provided the greatest DM yields in alfalfa. The DM yields declined drastically after the third harvest, with the exception of the third year. Therefore, irrigating alfalfa early in the season during the initial three harvests is an important strategy when water is limited.
Methyl farnesoate regulatory mechanisms underlying photoperiod‐dependent sex determination in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna
Authors: Toyota Kenji , Sato Tomomi , Iguchi Taisen , Ohira Tsuyoshi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFreshwater zooplankton Daphnia magna has been widely used in ecotoxicology studies. During the last 20 years, it has been demonstrated that the topical application of juvenile hormone (JH) or JH analogs to mother daphnids induce male offspring production. Based on this finding, an in vivo screening validation method for chemicals with JH agonistic effect has developed. Although this screening system successfully identified a number of JH‐like chemicals, molecular mechanisms underlying the male sex‐determining process remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we established a reliable male‐ or female‐producing system using Daphnia pulex WTN6 strain by changing the rearing photoperiod. Taking advantage of this rearing system, we successfully found several factors involving male sex determination such as ionotropic glutamate receptors, protein kinase C and pantothenate. Here, we used two D. magna strains that can also control the production of female or male offspring by photoperiod differences as model species for ecotoxicology studies. We demonstrated that either treatment of antagonist of ionotropic glutamate receptors or inhibitor of protein kinase C strongly suppressed male offspring production even under male‐producing conditions. Moreover, we revealed that male sex‐determining processes are likely diverged between D. magna and D. pulex based on the current experiment. This study provides a fine experimental method for in vivo screening not only JH agonists but also JH antagonists. Moreover, using daphnids with photoperiod‐dependent sex determination manner will hugely contribute to understanding the mode‐of‐action of JH in daphnids.