bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variability of C‐reactive protein in first‐generation Ecuadorian immigrants living in the United States
Authors: Shattuck‐Heidorn Heather , Eick Geeta N. , Kramer Karen L. , Sugiyama Lawrence S. , Snodgrass James Josh , Ellison Peter T. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesEstablish the variability of C‐reactive protein (CRP) within a population of first‐generation immigrants living in the United States. Prior work has theorized that individuals with high levels of childhood pathogen exposure may have lower CRP levels in adulthood, and therefore that for these individuals, CRP may not be as accurate an index of chronic disease risk related to low‐level inflammation as is presumed based on data from wealthy populations. This potentially has major implications for the interpretation of CRP as a biomarker of chronic inflammation.MethodsThis longitudinal study collected a total of 125 dried blood spot (DBS) samples from 31 participants (median 4 samples each) and CRP levels in these DBS were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay. Surveys were administered to characterize childhood pathogen exposure, and current illness. Variance was estimated using mixed effects regression models.ResultsOn average, participants were adults (mean = 41.9 years old) who had immigrated to the United States nearly 20 years prior to the study and had nearly universally experienced childhood helminth infection and other major pathogen exposures. Median serum‐equivalent CRP was 0.77 mg/L. Individuals reliably differed in subacute CRP levels, and, depending on whether untransformed or log‐transformed CRP was the outcome variable, 45% or 62% of variance in CRP was attributable to between‐individual differences.ConclusionsThe variability of CRP levels in individuals with relatively high childhood pathogen exposure is comparable to previously reported studies in North America and Europe. However, CRP values are relatively low. CRP is an appropriate measure of subacute inflammation in this sample.
Physical, mechanical, and in vitro biological analysis of bioactive fibers‐based dental composite
Authors: Saleem Mehvish , Zahid Saba , Ghafoor Sarah , Khalid Hina , Iqbal Haffsah , Zeeshan Rabia , Ahmad Sarfraz , Asif Anila , Khan Abdul Samad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to synthesize experimental composites reinforced with various concentrations (0, 40, 50, and 60 wt%) of nano‐hydroxyapatite grafted glass fibers. The release of monomers, residual monomers, and in‐vitro bioactivity of composite groups were evaluated after 1, 7, and 28 days. Compressive strength/ modulus, cell viability (by direct and indirect method), and bacterial adhesion were evaluated. The results showed that bis‐GMA was released from all samples. TEGDMA released from 50 and 60 wt% samples on day 1 and UDMA showed negligible release. Compressive strength values of 40 wt% sample were higher than other experimental groups. New apatite layer was formed, whereby both direct and indirect methods demonstrated cell viability. The numbers of active colonies grown were least for 60 wt% sample while their number increased over time. The nano‐hydroxyapatite/glass fibers have potential to be used as filler in dental composites and experimental composites were found to be biocompatible and comparable with commercial material.
Preparation and balanced mechanical properties of solid and foamed isotactic polypropylene/SEBS composites
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Sun Baojia , Yuan Guoyuan , Zhang Shixun , Ji Youxin , Liu Baochen , Zhang Mingxin , Yang Yang , Chen Jingbo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study presents a self‐designed foaming apparatus and routes to manufacture foamed isotactic polypropylene (iPP) blends with uniform and dense cells, using styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene (SEBS) block copolymer as toughening additive. The addition of SEBS can clearly enhance the impact strength of solid iPP, iPP blends with a 20 wt% SEBS has obtained high notched impact strength of 75 kJ/m2, which is ca. 16 times larger than that of neat iPP. Relatively fine microcellular iPP‐SEBS foams with the average cell size of several micrometers, and the cell density of 109 cells/cm3 were fabricated using a batch foaming procedure. Moreover, using our self‐designed mold and compression foaming method, iPP‐SEBS foams with balanced mechanical properties were produced. With the increasing of SEBS, tensile strength and flexural strength were slightly decreased, but the impact strength was increased clearly. The balanced mechanical properties between stiffness and toughness were achieved after compression foaming.
Mass and flow balances for reverse osmosis virus removal crediting with tracers
Authors: Trussell R. Rhodes , Kenny John D. , Tackaert Rodrigo A. , Pisarenko Aleksey N. , Trussell R. Shane 
Published: December 2020

AbstractConstituents in the feed of reverse osmosis (RO) processes pass into the product by two mechanisms: diffusion through the membrane and advection through defects in the system. While minerals and tracers pass via both mechanisms, pathogens pass only via advection. Using mass and flow balances, a rigorous model is developed to characterize the response of both viruses and tracers in RO systems. The model is used to assess several tracers being considered today. Early virus testing and the commercial requirements of desalination are reviewed, leading to the conclusion that some degree of advection can be expected to be present in RO systems but that commercial incentives can be expected to maintain pathogen removal due to defects somewhat greater than 4.0 log. Model results suggest that the best tracers currently in use can detect defects near this log reduction value but that there is still room for improvement.
Untersuchung der Schutzwirkung von auf Gabionenwänden montierten Leitblechen gegen Explosionen
Authors: Xiao Weifang , Andrae Matthias , Gebbeken Norbert 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn diesem Aufsatz werden experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zur Minderung von Explosionslasten auf Gebäude und Menschen durch verschiedene Konfigurationen einer Schutzwand vorgestellt. Die Wandkonstruktion besteht aus einer Gabionenwand mit einem aufgesetzten Leitblech, das mit unterschiedlichen Neigungswinkeln angeordnet wird. Für jede Testkonfiguration wurden drei Versuche durchgeführt. Numerische Modelle wurden entwickelt und anhand der Versuchsdaten validiert. Aus Kosten‐ und Platzgründen wurden Schutzwände mit einer geringen Breite von 2 m in den Versuchen untersucht. Hinter der Wand kommt es hierdurch zur Überlagerung der vertikal über die Oberseite der Schutzwand strömenden Schockwelle mit der seitlich um die Wand strömenden Schockwelle. Neben den in den Versuchen eingesetzten kurzen Wänden wurden lange Wände numerisch simuliert, wie sie in der Praxis benötigt werden. Die numerischen Untersuchungen an der langen Umfassungswand zeigten, dass Leitbleche die Intensität der Schockwelle deutlich reduzieren können. Bezüglich der Schutzwirkung erweist sich die Testkonfiguration mit einer Anordnung des Leitblechs von 45° in Richtung des Explosionsursprungs als wirkungsvollste Maßnahme. Im Vergleich zum Freifeldszenario wird in den untersuchten Bereichen eine Überdruckreduktion (Impulsreduktion) von 55,0 % bis 86,0 % (von 45,7 % bis 63,8 %) erreicht.
The UK construction and facilities management sector's response to the Modern Slavery Act: An intra‐industry initiative against modern slavery
Authors: Trautrims Alexander , Gold Stefan , Touboulic Anne , Emberson Caroline , Carter Helen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe United Kingdom's Modern Slavery Act exposed companies to a new ethical challenge in their supply chains. An estimated 40.3 million people worldwide are in modern slavery, working in a range of supply chains, including construction and facilities management. In this article, we show how the UK construction and facilities management sector responded to this challenge through an intra‐industry initiative and went through a process of collaborative sense‐making and sector‐wide agreement on a joint approach to challenge modern slavery in the sector's operations and supply chains. The research takes an engaged research approach whereby the researchers have been able to gain deep and continued access to the phenomenon from participation in a multi‐company initiative on the implementation of responses to the UK Modern Slavery Act in supply chain and procurement activities of their sector. We identify and discuss key areas for supply chain and procurement practitioners tasked with addressing a human rights topic in their operations and supply chains: Motivation, risk hot‐spots, challenges and response and provide a rich understanding of an intra‐industry initiative which creates a basis for further research on collective sustainability approaches by businesses who are otherwise commercial competitors. The study's results and insights are useful for policymakers and practitioners who are aiming to apply market‐based approaches for sustainability improvements in supply chains.
Liquid biopsy for esophageal cancer: Is detection of circulating cell‐free DNA as a biomarker feasible?
Authors: Yuan Zuyang , Wang Xinfeng , Geng Xiao , Li Yin , Mu Juwei , Tan Fengwei , Xue Qi , Gao Shugeng , He Jie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEsophageal cancer (EC) is a common cancer and is histopathologically classified into esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma. EC is a worldwide public health issue because of late diagnosis and lack of effective therapy. In contrast to standard tumor biopsies, liquid biopsies are emerging as a tool which is minimally invasive that can complement or even substitute more classical approaches. Specifically, cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) has shown promise in cancer‐related clinical applications. Indeed, cfDNA has been shown to be an effective circulating biomarker for non‐invasive cancer diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients. Although the clinical application of cfDNA has been reported on other cancers, few studies have evaluated its use in EC. Here, we review this relevant literature and discuss limitations and advantages of its application in the diagnosis and monitoring of EC.
Attachment safety in psychotherapy
Authors: Mair Helma 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSafety is generally considered a fundamental ingredient of the psychotherapeutic encounter. Theoreticians and clinicians of a variety of psychotherapy modalities and formats agree on the importance of the client feeling safe for positive therapeutic outcomes. Over the course of psychotherapy, clients start to view their therapist as an attachment figure, which makes the issue of attachment safety in therapy particularly relevant. This article presents two subthemes of a qualitative study on the client's experience of safety in psychotherapy that focus on attachment‐related aspects of this phenomenon: (a) The attachment language of safety and (b) The therapist as attachment figure. Semi‐structured interviews carried out on 10 Irish psychotherapy trainees to explore their experience of safety as a client were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and showed that attachment processes and nonverbal language exchanged between client and therapist played an important role in the client's overall experience of safety in psychotherapy. In addition to traditional attachment theory, polyvagal theory provides a solid framework for understanding and working with attachment‐based processes in psychotherapy, which are a major factor in the client's experience of safety. The recommendation is for psychotherapy training programmes to include both of these fields in psychotherapeutic theory and practice.
Investigating the Mechanistic Inhibitory Discrepancies of Novel Halogen and Alkyl Di‐Substituted Oxadiazole‐Based Dibenzo‐Azepine‐Dione Derivatives on Poly (ADP‐Ribose) Polymerase‐1
Authors: Okunlola Felix O. , Soremekun Opeyemi S. , Olotu Fisayo A. , Soliman Mahmoud E. S. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNumerous studies have established the involvement of Poly (ADP‐ribose) Polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) in cancer presenting it as an important therapeutic target over recent years. Although homology among the PARP protein family makes selective targeting difficult, two compounds [d11 (0.939 μM) and d21 (0.047 μM)] with disparate inhibitory potencies against PARP‐1 were recently identified. In this study, free energy calculations and molecular simulations were used to decipher underlying mechanisms of differential PARP‐1 inhibition exhibited by the two compounds. The thermodynamics calculation revealed that compound d21 had a relatively higher ΔGbind than d11. High involvement of van der Waal and electrostatic effects potentiated the affinity of d21 at PARP‐1 active site. More so, incorporated methyl moiety in d11 accounted for steric hindrance which, in turn, prevented complementary interactions of key site residues such as TYR889, MET890, TYR896, TYR907. Conformational studies also revealed that d21 is more stabilized for interactions in the active site compared to d11. We believe that findings from this study would provide an important avenue for the development of selective PARP‐1 inhibitors.
Aortic thrombosis and renal infarction in a young female with patent foramen ovale and COVID‐19 antibody
Authors: Kundal Sanchit V. , Emeasoba Emmanuel U. , Harris Chad , Randhawa Gurchetan , Astashkevich Mariya 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThrombotic complications in patients with prior COVID‐19 infection raises concern for a persistent hypercoagulable state among these patients. Thus, there is a dire need for further research aimed at anticoagulation guidelines for the same.
AgNPs@ZIF‐8 Hybrid Material‐Modified Polyethersulfone Microfiltration Membranes for Antibiofouling Property and Permeability Improvement
Authors: Feng Yue , Guo Ning , Ren Shaojie , Xie Xuan , Xu Juan , Wang Yunkun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMembrane fouling is a major hindrance to the effective application of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. Synthetic silver nanoparticles @ zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (AgNPs@ZIF‐8) hybrid crystals were used to modify the PES microfiltration membranes for mitigating membrane fouling and better water permeability. The surface modification of AgNPs@ZIF‐8 hybrid crystals improved the antifouling property of the membranes. The number of live bacteria in the bacteria suspension was over 90 % less than that of control membranes. Furthermore, after surface modification, the membrane permeability was enhanced, which was due to increased surface hydrophilization of the membranes which could partly explain the improved antifouling property. The results demonstrate that the use of AgNPs@ZIF‐8 hybrid crystals is a feasible and attractive approach for the development of antifouling membranes.
Identifying sources of resistance in chickpea to seed rot and seedling damping‐off caused by metalaxyl‐resistant Pythium ultimum
Authors: Agarwal Chiti , Chen Weidong , Coyne Clare , Vandemark George 
Published: December 2020

AbstractChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) has been a globally important source of nutrition for human and animal diets for several thousand years. In the United States, chickpeas are integral components of dryland agriculture systems throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains, but seed rot and preemergent damping‐off of chickpea caused by metalaxyl‐resistant isolates of Pythium ultimum Trow have emerged as diseases of increasing importance in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The objective of this study was to identify sources of resistance to metalaxyl‐resistant P. ultimum in chickpea. Resistance was evaluated based on the emergence of chickpea seedlings from soil artificially infested with the pathogen. Significant differences in emergence were consistently detected between the desi chickpea cultivar ‘Myles’ and the kabuli chickpea cultivar ‘Sierra’. These two cultivars were used as checks to screen two different chickpea mini‐core collections, including a 39‐accession mini‐core collection from the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System and 209 accessions from a chickpea mini‐core collection developed by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). A total of 194 desi accessions and 41 kabuli accessions were significantly more resistant than Sierra, whereas 85 desi accessions identified from the ICRISAT collection were highly resistant to both P. ultimum isolates. Accessions with pigmented seed coats were significantly more resistant than accessions with beige seed coats, which is a characteristic of kabuli chickpeas. Two accessions, W6 25882 and W6 25884, may be especially promising parental materials for improving kabuli cultivars based on their consistent resistant reactions to P. ultimum isolates and higher 100‐seed weight.
Design and optimization of 3‐kW inductive power transfer charging system with compact asymmetric loosely coupled transformer for special applications
Authors: Ma Hongbo , Li Xiaobin , Zhang Bin , Yi Junhong , Wang Xiaoqiang , Xu Jianping 
Published: December 2020

SummaryInductive power transfer (IPT) technology has become popular in wireless charging applications. Compared with the traditional 3‐kW wireless charging application, the diameter for the primary coil and the secondary coil in this special design are required to be smaller than 260 and 110 mm, respectively. In order to achieve this target, an approach to design and optimize the loosely coupled transformer (LCT) is proposed to match the strict geometry limitation, while achieving the high conversion efficiency. Different from the traditional design method, the low resonant current and voltage stress are considered as the input of the design flowchart, especially the LCT. Thus, the overall conversion efficiency can be improved. Based on series–series (S–S) compensation topology, the parameter range of the LCT is determined by analyzing transformer‐based equivalent model. To achieve the desired coil size, an asymmetric LCT with single‐layer primary coil and three‐layer secondary coil is designed and optimized by the proposed approach. Furthermore, the closed‐loop controller with narrow frequency variation range is design to realize constant current (CC) charge and constant voltage (CV) charge. A 3‐kW IPT charging prototype is built to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the peak efficiency from input to battery load is 95.69% at 3‐kW output power in the transition point from CC mode to CV mode.
Biosafety during a pandemic: shared resource laboratories rise to the challenge
Authors: Aspland Avrill M. , Douagi Iyadh , Filby Andrew , Jellison Evan R. , Martinez Lola , Shinko Diana , Smith Adrian L. , Tang Vera A. , Thornton Sherry 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBiosafety has always been an important aspect of daily work in any research institution, particularly for cytometry Shared Resources Laboratories (SRLs). SRLs are common‐use spaces that facilitate the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and ideas. This sharing inescapably involves contact and interaction of all those within this working environment on a daily basis. The current pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 has prompted the re‐evaluation of many policies governing the operations of SRLs. Here we identify and review the unique challenges SRLs face in maintaining biosafety standards, highlighting the potential risks associated with not only cytometry instrumentation and samples, but also the people working with them. We propose possible solutions to safety issues raised by the COVID‐19 pandemic and provide tools for facilities to adapt to evolving guidelines and future challenges.
Identifying patients at increased risk of hypoglycaemia in primary care: Development of a machine learning‐based screening tool
Authors: Crutzen Stijn , Belur Nagaraj Sunil , Taxis Katja , Denig Petra 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionIn primary care, identifying patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who are at increased risk of hypoglycaemia is important for the prevention of hypoglycaemic events. We aimed to develop a screening tool based on machine learning to identify such patients using routinely available demographic and medication data.MethodsWe used a cohort study design and the Groningen Initiative to ANalyse Type 2 diabetes Treatment (GIANTT) medical record database to develop models for hypoglycaemia risk. The first hypoglycaemic event in the observation period (2007–2013) was the outcome. Demographic and medication data were used as predictor variables to train machine learning models. The performance of the models was compared with a model using additional clinical data using fivefold cross validation with the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) as a metric.ResultsWe included 13,876 T2D patients. The best performing model including only demographic and medication data was logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, with an AUC of 0.71. Ten variables were included (odds ratio): male gender (0.997), age (0.990), total drug count (1.012), glucose‐lowering drug count (1.039), sulfonylurea use (1.62), insulin use (1.769), pre‐mixed insulin use (1.109), insulin count (1.827), insulin duration (1.193), and antidepressant use (1.05). The proposed model obtained a similar performance to the model using additional clinical data.ConclusionUsing demographic and medication data, a model for identifying patients at increased risk of hypoglycaemia was developed using machine learning. This model can be used as a tool in primary care to screen for patients with T2D who may need additional attention to prevent or reduce hypoglycaemic events.
State‐of‐charge estimation for LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2/graphite batteries using the compound method with improved extended Kalman filter and long short‐term memory network
Authors: Xu Shuai , Zhou Jianxiong , Zhou Fei , Liu Yuchen 
Published: December 2020

SummaryBecause it is necessary for electric vehicle (EV) driver to know the remaining power of the EV battery during driving, thus it is very valuable to research the precise state‐of‐charge estimation, which can update the residual capacity of battery and prevent the occurrence of overcharge and over discharge phenomenon for battery. As compared with most model‐based methods, neural network‐based methods can directly use battery surface temperature as the input parameters of the model. In here, the state‐of‐charge of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2/graphite batteries is estimated using the compound method with improved extended Kalman filter and long short‐term memory network. The improved extended Kalman filter algorithm is composed of recursive least square method with forgetting factor algorithm, generalized regression neural network and extended Kalman filter algorithm. For the compound state‐of‐charge estimation method, the state‐of‐charge values are first estimated using the improved extended Kalman filter, and then optimized using long short‐term memory network. The datasets of dynamic stress test at 25°C are applied to train the long short‐term memory network, while the datasets under different conditions are used as validation datasets. The results reveal that the mean absolute error, maximum absolute error, and root mean square error for their combination method are less than 1%, 3%, 1.1%, respectively. Among three kinds of state‐of‐charge estimation methods, the compound method has the highest estimation accuracy under different working conditions.