bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of environmental pollution with fluorine compounds on the level of fluoride in soil, feed and eggs of laying hens in Central Pomerania, Poland
Authors: Bombik Elżbieta , Bombik Antoni , Rymuza Katarzyna 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe present study was aimed at evaluating fluorine contamination of the eggs of free-ranging laying hens in Northern Poland, in the Central Pomerania region, in relation to the distance from the emission sources. Fluorine levels in the soil, feed, and the shells, and contents of the eggs were assayed with the potentiometric method using an ion-selective electrode from ORION Ion Meter. The sampled eggs were subjected to pressure microwave digestion with the use of a Milestone MLS-1200 microwave. All the samples were digested in 5 ml of supra-pure grade concentrated HNO3 from Merck. The mean level of fluorine in the studied soils ranged from 3.79 mg kg−1 of DM in typical river alluvial soil to 126.19 mg kg−1 of DM in lessive soil. The study revealed an average fluorine content in the feeds administered to the hens on the farms in zone 1 (17.29 mg kg−1 of DM), it being 3.5 times higher than the corresponding content in zone 2 (4.92 mg kg−1 of DM). A statistically significantly higher mean fluorine level was identified in the eggshells of hens on zone 1 farms, located closer to the pollution emission sources (17.52 mg kg−1 of DM), the value being more than 3-fold higher than that in zone 2 (5.47 mg kg−1 of DM). The present study revealed an almost twice as high fluorine mean content in the hen eggs collected on farms in zone 1 (1.488 mg kg−1 of DM) compared with the hen egg contents in the experimental zone 2 (0.640 mg kg−1 of DM), the difference being statistically significant.
The Role of Mast Cells in IgE-Independent Lung Diseases
Authors: Komi Daniel Elieh Ali , Mortaz Esmaeil , Amani Saeede , Tiotiu Angelica , Folkerts Gert , Adcock Ian M 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMast cells (MCs) are granular cells of the innate immune system which develop from CD34+/CD117+ progenitors and play a role in orchestrating adaptive immune responses. They have a well-known role in allergic reactions following immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated activation of the cell-surface expressed IgE high-affinity receptor (FcεRI). MCs can also respond to various other stimuli due to the expression of a variety of receptors including toll-like receptors (TLRs), immunoglobulin (IgG) receptors (FcγR), complement receptors such as C5a (CD88) expressed by skin MCs, neuropeptides receptors including nerve growth factor receptor, (NGFR), cytokines receptors such as (IL)-1R and IL-3R, and chemokines receptors including CCR-1 and CCR-3. MCs release three groups of mediators upon degranulation differentiated according to their chemical composition, storage, and time to release. These include preformed mediators (mainly histamine, tryptase, and chymase), de novo synthesized mediators such as prostaglandin (PG)D2, leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTD4, and cytokines including IL-1β, IL-3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β. Emerging evidence indicates a role for IgE-independent MC activation in the late-stage asthmatic response as well as in non-allergic airway diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and lung cancer. MC infiltration/activation has been reported in some, but not all, studies of lung cancer. MC-derived TNF-α possesses tumor-suppressive activity while IL-1β supports tumor progression and metastasis. In IPF lungs, an increase in density of tryptase- and chymase-positive MCs (MCTC) and overexpression of TGF-β support the fibrosis progression. MC-derived chymase activates latent TGF-β that induces the differentiation of fibroblasts to matrix-producing myofibroblasts. In summary, increasing evidence highlights a critical role of MCs in non-allergic diseases that may indicate new approaches for therapy.
Syphilis in Pregnancy
Authors: Pradhan Mandakini , Jain Shruti 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSyphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease relevant to pregnancy because it has the potential to cause congenital syphilis if it occurs at any time during pregnancy. An upsurge in cases of syphilis in women and hence congenital syphilis has been reported worldwide recently. 40% of cases can result in spontaneous miscarriages, stillbirth, non-immune hydrops, fetal growth restriction and perinatal death, as well as serious sequelae in liveborn infected children. Pregnancy complications can be avoided by early detection and treatment in the antenatal period. All antenatal women should be screened for syphilis at the first antenatal visit. There is no gold standard for diagnostic test of syphilis. A combination of serological tests consisting of treponemal and a non treponemal test are used for diagnosis. Screening with non-treponemal tests such as rapid plasma reagin or venereal disease research laboratory test combined with confirmation of reactive individuals with treponemal tests such as the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption assay is the usual cost effective approach. Those at risk should be retested in the third trimester. Treatment during pregnancy should be with penicillin depending upon the stage of the maternal infection. All neonates born to mothers who have reactive nontreponemal and treponemal test results should be evaluated.
Bentonite/Magnetite Composite for Removal of Nitrofurazone
Authors: Alekseeva Olga V. , Rodionova Anna N. , Noskov Andrew V. , Agafonov Alexander V. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment is one of the most pressing environmental problems. Adsorption from solution is an effective way to remove pharmaceuticals from liquid media, but the problem then is to separate the adsorbent from the liquids. The objective of the present study was to remove nitrofurazone from aqueous solutions using a bentonite/magnetite composite, prepared by co-precipitation of magnetite with bentonite, which could then be collected by magnetic separation. The bentonite/magnetite composite was characterized using diverse techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature N2 adsorption/desorption, laser diffraction, and magnetization measurements. The particle size of the composite material did not exceed 50 μm and the particle size distribution was mono-modal with a maximum at 3.2 μm. The strong hysteresis in the magnetization curve revealed that the bentonite/magnetite particles were ferromagnetic. Adsorption of nitrofurazone by the bentonite/magnetite composite from aqueous solutions was measured and the amount of nitrofurazone adsorbed was 3.2×10–2 mmol/g. The adsorption kinetics of nitrofurazone to the bentonite/magnetite composite followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics equation. Upon adsorption, hydrogen bonds were formed between the amide groups of nitrofurazone and oxygen groups in bentonite.
Independent Association of Erectile Dysfunction and Low Testosterone Levels with Life Dissatisfaction in Men with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: D'Andrea Settimio , Minaldi Elisa , Castellini Chiara , Cavallo Francesca , Felzani Giorgio , Francavilla Sandro , Francavilla Felice , Barbonetti Arcangelo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
The loss of global functional independence, along with bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions, may contribute to psychological distress and life dissatisfaction after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Aim
To explore the relationship of erectile function and androgenic status with life satisfaction, independently from confounders recognizable in spinal cord–injured men.

Methods
100 consecutive men (49 ± 17 years) admitted to a rehabilitation program because of chronic SCI (≥1 year) underwent clinical/biochemical evaluations, including the assessment of life and sexual satisfaction using the Life-Satisfaction Questionnaire-9 (LiSat-9), erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), global and bowel-bladder functional independence using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) and measurement of total testosterone (TT) levels. The free testosterone level was calculated using the Vermeulen formula.

Outcomes
The outcomes include the relationship between sexual health and life satisfaction in men with SCI.

Results
A LiSat-9 score &lt;4, suggestive for life dissatisfaction, was exhibited by 49% of men. When compared with the life-satisfied group, a significantly higher percentage of them had sexual dissatisfaction and erectile dysfunction (ED); they also exhibited significantly lower levels of TT and calculated free testosterone (cFT) and a more severe impairment of bowel-bladder function. The life satisfaction degree correlated with sexual satisfaction degree, IIEF-5 score, TT, cFT, and bowel-bladder function degree. At the logistic regression model, including sexual LiSat-9 subscore and bowel-bladder SCIM subscore, only the former exhibited a significant negative association with life dissatisfaction. In a further logistic regression model, including the putative key determinants of sexual satisfaction, erectile function, and cFT levels, a higher odd of life dissatisfaction was independently associated both with a lower IIEF-5 score (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.98) and lower cFT levels (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99).

Clinical Implications
In men with chronic SCI, assessment of erectile function and testosterone levels can help to predict life satisfaction.

Strengths & Limitations
This is the first demonstration of the independent association of androgen deficiency and ED with life satisfaction in men with SCI. Prospective studies are warranted to clarify the cause-effect relationships.

Conclusions
In men with SCI, ED and low testosterone levels exhibit a significant independent association with life dissatisfaction; longitudinal intervention studies could explore possible effects of their treatment in improving sexual and life satisfaction in this population.
Investigating controls on sea ice algal production using E3SMv1.1-BGC
Authors: Jeffery Nicole , Maltrud Mathew E. , Hunke Elizabeth C. , Wang Shanlin , Wolfe Jon , Turner Adrian K. , Burrows Susannah M. , Shi Xiaoying , Lipscomb William H. , Maslowski Wieslaw , Calvin Kate V. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe present the analysis of global sympagic primary production (PP) from 300 years of pre-industrial and historical simulations of the E3SMv1.1-BGC model. The model includes a novel, eight-element sea ice biogeochemical component, MPAS-Seaice zbgc, which is resolved in three spatial dimensions and uses a vertical transport scheme based on internal brine dynamics. Modeled ice algal chlorophyll-a concentrations and column-integrated values are broadly consistent with observations, though chl-a profile fractions indicate that upper ice communities of the Southern Ocean are underestimated. Simulations of polar integrated sea ice PP support the lower bound in published estimates for both polar regions with mean Arctic values of 7.5 and 15.5 TgC/a in the Southern Ocean. However, comparisons of the polar climate state with observations, using a maximal bound for ice algal growth rates, suggest that the Arctic lower bound is a significant underestimation driven by biases in ocean surface nitrate, and that correction of these biases supports as much as 60.7 TgC/a of net Arctic PP. Simulated Southern Ocean sympagic PP is predominantly light-limited, and regional patterns, particularly in the coastal high production band, are found to be negatively correlated with snow thickness.
On the Plastic Strain Accumulation in Notched Bars During High-Temperature Creep Dwell
Authors: Barbera Daniele , Chen Haofeng 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTStructural integrity plays an important role in any industrial activity, due to its capability of assessing complex systems against sudden and unpredicted failures. The work here presented investigates an unexpected new mechanism occurring in structures subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading at high temperature creep condition. An unexpected accumulation of plastic strain is observed to occur, within the high-temperature creep dwell. This phenomenon has been observed during several full inelastic finite element analyses. In order to understand which parameters make possible such behaviour, an extensive numerical study has been undertaken on two different notched bars. The notched bar has been selected due to its capability of representing a multiaxial stress state, which is a practical situation in real components. Two numerical examples consisting of an axisymmetric v-notch bar and a semi-circular notched bar are considered, in order to investigate different notches severity. Two material models have been considered for the plastic response, which is modelled by both Elastic-Perfectly Plastic and Armstrong-Frederick kinematic hardening material models. The high-temperature creep behaviour is introduced using the time hardening law. To study the problem several results are presented, as the effect of the material model on the plastic strain accumulation, the effect of the notch severity and the mesh element type and sensitivity. All the findings further confirm that the phenomenon observed is not an artefact but a real mechanism, which needs to be considered when assessing off-design condition. Moreover, it might be extremely dangerous if the cyclic loading condition occurs at such a high loading level.
Redistribution and the Quality of Government: Evidence from Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Petrova Bilyana 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe welfare state literature has largely ignored the impact of a country's quality of government on its levels of redistribution. Using cross-sectional time-series analysis of twenty-one Central and Eastern European countries, this article shows that environments characterized by higher levels of corruption, rampant bureaucratic inefficiency and ineffective enforcement of the rule of law are associated with lower levels of redistribution. Poor government directly affects the supply side of the redistribution process by hindering countries’ ability to allocate funds to redistribution and deliver them to their beneficiaries. Contrary to existing demand-oriented perspectives, the proposed causal mechanism does not blame lower redistribution on the lack of public support for the welfare state. Rather, it focuses on the capacity of states to adopt and implement inequality-reducing policies. The results are robust to numerous extensions and model specifications.
Vowel change across time, space, and conversational topic: the use of localized features in former mining communities
Authors: Devlin Thomas , French Peter , Llamas Carmen 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis study focuses on speakers who continue to use forms that are recessive in a community, and the phonological and conversational contexts in which recessive forms persist. Use of a local, recessive form is explored across males from four ex-mining communities in Northeast England. Older speakers, who lived in the area when the mines were open, frequently produce the localized variant of themouthvowel, especially in speech produced during conversation about the locally resonant topic of mining, and, most frequently, in communities closest to the location with which the form is associated. Conversely, speakers born since the loss of mining and with little connection to the industry hardly produce the local form in any community or conversational topic. Exploring conversational topic provides evidence for the connections between shifting social contexts and sound change, specifically that speakers retain otherwise recessive features in speech concerning topics which are locally resonant to them.
Comparative efficacy of teat sealants given prepartum for prevention of intramammary infections and clinical mastitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Winder C. B. , Sargeant J. M. , Hu D. , Wang C. , Kelton D. F. , Leblanc S. J. , Duffield T. F. , Glanville J. , Wood H. , Churchill K. J. , Dunn J. , Bergevin M. D. , Dawkins K. , Meadows S. , Deb B. , Reist M. , Moody C. , O'Connor A. M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of internal or external teat sealants given at dry-off in dairy cattle. Controlled trials were eligible if they assessed the use of internal or external teat sealants, with or without concurrent antimicrobial therapy, compared to no treatment or an alternative treatment, and measured one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, IMI during the first 30 days in milk (DIM), or clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM. Risk of bias was based on the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool with modified signaling questions. From 2280 initially identified records, 32 trials had data extracted for one or more outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted for IMI at calving. Use of an internal teat sealant (bismuth subnitrate) significantly reduced the risk of new IMI at calving compared to non-treated controls (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.25–0.72). For comparisons between antimicrobial and teat sealant groups, concerns regarding precision were seen. Synthesis of the primary research identified important challenges related to the comparability of outcomes, replication and connection of interventions, and quality of reporting of study conduct.
Marine Heatwaves in China's Marginal Seas and Adjacent Offshore Waters: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Yao Yulong , Wang Junjie , Yin Jianjun , Zou Xinqing 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnder the combined impacts of natural changes and human activities, the past, current, and future marine heatwaves (MHWs) in China's marginal seas and adjacent offshore waters (CMSOW) need a comprehensive understanding. This study provides a systematic analysis of the spatiotemporal variations using daily sea surface temperature data and simulates the future trend using 12 climate models. During 1982–2018, the mean annual total days, duration, frequency, and mean intensity of the MHWs in the CMSOW increased by 20–30 days/decade, 5–9 days/decade, 1–2 decade−1, and 0.1–0.3°C/decade, respectively (p <0.01). The maximum sea surface temperature anomalies in the Bohai Sea was over 6–8°C, and the MHW's frequency, duration, and mean intensity were higher than twice the global average, which could have impacted fishery resources and occurrence of harmful algal blooms. The variations of the MHWs in the CMSOW result from the robust ocean surface warming, which is caused by increased solar radiation due to reduced cloud cover, reduced ocean heat loss from weaker wind speed, weakening but warmer Kuroshio, and strong El Niño. In the future, the areas with longer total days and duration will increase; the spatial pattern of frequency has a negative relationship with that of duration while that of mean intensity is mostly unchanged. Year 2040 is a key node for the future changes of MHW under different Representative Concentration Pathways. The trend of total days increases from fast to slow, and frequency shows an opposite trend; the duration and mean intensity rise faster after 2040.
Olivine‐Carbonate Mineralogy of the Jezero Crater Region
Authors: Brown A. J. , Viviano C. E. , Goudge T. A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA well‐preserved, ancient delta deposit, in combination with ample exposures of carbonate outcrops, makes Jezero Crater in Nili Fossae a compelling astrobiological site. We use Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) observations to characterize the surface mineralogy of the crater and surrounding watershed. Previous studies have documented the occurrence of olivine and carbonates in the Nili Fossae region. We focus on correlations between these two well‐studied lithologies in the Jezero crater watershed. We map the position and shape of the olivine 1 μm absorption band and find that carbonates are found in association with olivine which displays a 1 μm band shifted to long wavelengths. We then use Thermal Emission Imaging Spectrometer (THEMIS) coverage of Nili Fossae and perform tests to investigate whether the long wavelength shifted (redshifted) olivine signature is correlated with high thermal inertia outcrops. We find that there is no consistent correlation between thermal inertia and the unique olivine signature. We discuss a range of formation scenarios for the olivine and carbonate associations, including the possibility that these lithologies are products of serpentinization reactions on early Mars. These lithologies provide an opportunity for deepening our understanding of early Mars and, given their antiquity, may provide a framework to study the timing of valley networks and the thermal history of the Martian crust and interior from the early Noachian to today.
The effects of 10,000 voluntary contractions over 8 weeks on the strength of very weak muscles in people with spinal cord injury: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Chen Lydia W. , Glinsky Joanne V. , Islam Md. Shofiqul , Hossain Muzaffor , Boswell-Ruys Claire L. , Kataria Chitra , Redhead Jason , Xiong Yuan , Gollan Emilie , Costa Punam D. , Denis Sophie , Ben Marsha , Chaudhary Lovely , Wang Jun , Hasnat Md. Abu Khayer , Yeomans Jayne , Gandevia Simon C. , Harvey Lisa A. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Study design
A multi-centred, single-blinded randomised controlled trial.

Objectives
To determine the effect of 10,000 voluntary contractions over 8 weeks on the strength of very weak muscles in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Settings
Seven hospitals in Australia and Asia.

Methods
One hundred and twenty people with recent SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were randomised to either a Treatment or Control Group. One major muscle group from an upper or lower limb was selected if the muscle had grade 1 or grade 2 strength on a standard six-point manual muscle test. Participants allocated to the Treatment Group performed 10,000 isolated contractions of the selected muscle group, as well as usual care in 48 sessions over 8 weeks. Participants allocated to the Control Group received usual care alone. Participants were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks by a blinded assessor. The primary outcome was voluntary muscle strength on a 13-point manual muscle test. There were three secondary outcomes capturing therapists’ and participants’ perceptions of strength and function.

Results
The mean between-group difference of voluntary strength at 8 weeks was 0.4/13 points (95% confidence interval −0.5 to 1.4) in favour of the Treatment Group. There were no notable between-group differences on any secondary outcome.

Conclusion
Ten thousand isolated contractions of very weak muscles in people with SCI over 8 weeks has either no or a very small effect on voluntary strength.