bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the origins and variability of the fuel consumption gap: lessons learned from laboratory tests and a real-driving campaign
Authors: Pavlovic J. , Fontaras G. , Ktistakis M. , Anagnostopoulos K. , Komnos D. , Ciuffo B. , Clairotte M. , Valverde V. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Divergence in fuel consumption (FC) between the type-approval tests and real-world driving trips, known also as the FC gap, is a well-known issue and Europe is preparing the field for tackling it. The present study focuses on the monitoring of the FC of a single vehicle throughout 1 year with 20 different drivers and almost 14,000 km driven with the aim to analyze and quantify the true intrinsic variability in the FC gap coming from environmental and traffic conditions and driving factors. In addition, the regression model has been developed to evaluate the importance of these different factors on the FC gap’s variability.

Results
The 1-year FC gap measured in this study was 29% while driver’s averages were in the range from 16 to 106%. The regression model developed had $$R^{2}$$R2 equal to 90.4 meaning that more than 90% of the FC gap’s variance can be explained with this model and factors measured in this study. The results of the model showed that among all factors analyzed the highest contribution in the FC gap’s variance is coming from the average vehicle speed (16.6%), followed by the road grade (13.4%), and trip distance (10.1%). Indeed, the highest FC gaps are measured when the average vehicle speeds were below 20 km/h, the average distance-weighted road grades above 1%, and the trip distances below 5 km. In addition, the impact of driver factors is not negligible (25%) and the highest FC gap is measured for the trips where average positive acceleration was higher than 0.7 m/s2 (indicating aggressive driving) and the electric power demand higher than 800 W.

Conclusions
The future lifetime on-board fuel consumption reporting is a crucial instrument that will allow the monitoring of the evolution of the FC gap and ensuring that it does not increase over time. The analysis presented in this study is a basis for setting up a more detailed and refined prediction model, which could assist the European Commission in closely monitoring the gap and the underlying factors generating it.
Disseminated Mycobacterium simiae infection in a patient with adult-onset immunodeficiency due to anti-interferon-gamma antibodies – a case report
Authors: Keragala B. S. D. P. , Gunasekera C. N. , Yesudian P. D. , Guruge Chandima , Dissanayaka B. S. , Liyanagama D. P. , Jinadasa G. I. M. , Constantine S. R. , Herath H. M. M. T. B. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Mycobacterial species other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae are generally free-living organisms and Mycobacterium simiae is one of the slowest growing Non-tuberculous mycobacteria. This is the first case report of Mycobacterium simiae infection in Sri Lanka and only very few cases with extrapulmonary manifestation reported in the literature.

Case presentation
A 24-year-old, previously healthy Sri Lankan male presented with generalized lymphadenopathy with discharging sinuses, evening pyrexia, weight loss, poor appetite and splenomegaly. Lymph node biopsies showed sheets of macrophages packed with organisms in the absence of granulomata. Ziehl Neelsen, Wade Fite and Giemsa stains revealed numerous red coloured acid-fast bacilli within foamy histiocytes. Slit skin smear for leprosy was negative and tuberculosis, fungal and bacterial cultures of the lymph node and bone marrow did not reveal any growth. Later he developed watery diarrhea and colonoscopy revealed multiple small polyps and ulcers throughout the colon extending up to the ileum, Which was confirmed to be due to cytomegalovirus confirmed by PCR and successfully treated with ganciclovir. Positron emission tomography scan guided biopsies of the gut and lymph nodes confirmed presence of mycobacterial spindle cell pseudo-tumours and PCR assays revealed positive HSP65. The culture grew Mycobacterium Simiae. Flow cytometry analysis on patient’s blood showed extremely low T and B cell counts and immunofixation revealed low immunoglobulin levels. His condition was later diagnosed as adult onset immunodeficiency due to anti- interferon – gamma autoantibodies. He was initially commenced on empirical anti-TB treatment with atypical mycobacterial coverage. He is currently on a combination of daily clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid with monthly 2 g/kg/intravenous immunoglobulin to which, he had a remarkable clinical response with complete resolution of lymphadenopathy and healing of sinuses.

Conclusions
This infection is considered to be restricted to certain geographic areas such as mainly Iran, Cuba, Israel and Arizona and this is the first case report from Sri lanka. Even though the infection is mostly seen in the elderly patients, our patient was only 24 years old. In the literature pulmonary involvement was common presentation, but in this case the patient had generalized lymphadenopathy and colonic involvement without pulmonary involvement.
Preventive healthcare uptake in private hospitals in Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey (Nisa premier hospital)
Authors: Ofoli Joshua N. T. , Ashau-Oladipo Timi , Hati Stephen S. , Ati Lile , Ede Victor 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Understanding the features of preventive care uptake is critical for assessing the performance and viability of primary care in any healthcare system. There are gaps in previous studies that focused on primary healthcare features, challenges and way forward in Nigeria but were mainly public sector focused and do not characterize the features of preventive care. Since private healthcare sector remains the most accessed and utilized in Nigeria, this study sought to characterize the features of uptake of preventive care to better understand the current preventive healthcare landscape.

Method
A descriptive cross-sectional study, using survey questionnaire were randomly administered to adult patients attending the Family Medicine Out-Patient Department (OPD) at Nisa Premier Hospital, Jabi Abuja. The study was conducted over a three-month period. (January to June 2017). Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage were used to report the results.

Results
A total of 381 participants completed the survey. The results revealed that while an over overwhelming majority (> 90%) of participants indicated knowledge of benefits of preventive care, and preferred interventions aimed at preventing a disease before they occur, 48% preferred interventions aimed at reducing disease or injury impact or interventions aimed at ameliorating the impact of ongoing disease or injury with long lasting effect (43%). Unfortunately, less than 40% of respondents would visit the hospital when their health condition is not serious. Important barriers to uptake of preventive care were revealed as cost (45%), distance to the healthcare provider (36%) and lack of health insurance (33%), whereas poor education (19%), social norms (13%) as well as cultural and religious beliefs (10%) towards accessing certain health services appeared to be lesser barriers.

Conclusion
Although people are aware of the benefits of preventive care, its uptake will greatly be enhanced through improved health insurance coverage, refocusing primary healthcare functions on preventive rather than curative care and instituting policies that mandatorily prescribe uptake for the insured, both at the individual and the insurer’s level.
High-intensity interval training in allogeneic adoptive T-cell immunotherapy – a big HIT?
Authors: Heinemann Nele Carolin , Tischer-Zimmermann Sabine , Wittke Torge Christian , Eigendorf Julian , Kerling Arno , Framke Theodor , Melk Anette , Heuft Hans-Gert , Blasczyk Rainer , Maecker-Kolhoff Britta , Eiz-Vesper Britta 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) represents a prophylactic and curative approach for opportunistic viral infections and reactivations after transplantation. However, inadequate frequencies of circulating memory VSTs in the T-cell donor’s peripheral blood often result in insufficient enrichment efficiency and purity of the final T-cell product, limiting the effectiveness of this approach.

Methods
This pilot study was designed as a cross-over trial and compared the effect of a single bout (30 min) of high-intensity interval training (HIT) with that of 30 min of continuous exercise (CONT) on the frequency and function of circulating donor VSTs. To this end, we used established immunoassays to examine the donors’ cellular immune status, in particular, with respect to the frequency and specific characteristics of VSTs restricted against Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-, Epstein–Barr-Virus (EBV)- and Adenovirus (AdV)-derived antigens. T-cell function, phenotype, activation and proliferation were examined at different time points before and after exercise to identify the most suitable time for T-cell donation. The clinical applicability was determined by small-scale T-cell enrichment using interferon- (IFN-) γ cytokine secretion assay and virus-derived overlapping peptide pools.

Results
HIT proved to be the most effective exercise program with up to fivefold higher VST response. In general, donors with a moderate fitness level had higher starting and post-exercise frequencies of VSTs than highly fit donors, who showed significantly lower post-exercise increases in VST frequencies. Both exercise programs boosted the number of VSTs against less immunodominant antigens, specifically CMV (IE-1), EBV (EBNA-1) and AdV (Hexon, Penton), compared to VSTs against immunodominant antigens with higher memory T-cell frequencies.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates that exercise before T-cell donation has a beneficial effect on the donor’s cellular immunity with respect to the proportion of circulating functionally active VSTs. We conclude that a single bout of HIT exercise 24 h before T-cell donation can significantly improve manufacturing of clinically applicable VSTs. This simple and economical adjuvant treatment proved to be especially efficient in enhancing virus-specific memory T cells with low precursor frequencies.
Results of advanced core decompression in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head depending on age and sex—a prospective cohort study
Authors: Serong Sebastian , Haversath Marcel , Tassemeier Tjark , Dittrich Florian , Landgraeber Stefan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Core decompression is a common surgical technique to treat osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the parameters “age” and “sex” on the outcome of this type of treatment.

Methods
A prospective cohort study was performed. Eighty-six osteonecrotic hips with a mean follow-up of 32.5 months (± 24.8) after advanced core decompression were analysed regarding age- and sex-dependent treatment failure. Additionally, the modified Harris Hip Score and Numeric Rating Scale were compared regarding the parameters age and sex.

Results
The mean hip survival of the male participants was 51.3 months (39.4% treatment failure), whereas females presented a longer, thus not significant, mean survival of 61.4 months (30% therapy failure; p = 0.48). The further evaluation revealed significantly better survival in the patients aged < 40 years (mean survival 66.09 months, 16% treatment failure) in comparison to those aged ≥ 40 years (mean survival 50.14 months, 46% therapy failure; p = 0.03). The modified Harris Hip Score and Numeric Rating Scale results of patients whose treatment did not fail during the study period were similar, irrespective of the patient’s sex or age.

Conclusions
The study shows that the number of therapy failures is significantly higher in older patients, with 40 years of age marking the borderline. Patients’ sex does not seem to affect the outcome of treatment, and postoperative clinical scores appear to be identical with individuals not affected by therapy failure. Since age and sex are unalterable parameters, the study helps to provide valuable predictions regarding the chances of long-term hip survival after treatment of osteonecrosis.
Mutations in COL1A1/A2 and CREB3L1 are associated with oligodontia in osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Andersson Kristofer , Malmgren Barbro , Åström Eva , Nordgren Ann , Taylan Fulya , Dahllöf Göran 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous connective tissue disorder characterized by an increased tendency for fractures throughout life. Autosomal dominant (AD) mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2 are causative in approximately 85% of cases. In recent years, recessive variants in genes involved in collagen processing have been found. Hypodontia (< 6 missing permanent teeth) and oligodontia (≥ 6 missing permanent teeth) have previously been reported in individuals with OI. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate whether children and adolescents with OI and oligodontia and hypodontia also present with variants in other genes with potential effects on tooth development. The cohort comprised 10 individuals (7.7–19.9 years of age) with known COL1A1/A2 variants who we clinically and radiographically examined and further genetically evaluated by whole-genome sequencing. All study participants were treated at the Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (Sweden’s national multidisciplinary pediatric OI team). We evaluated a panel of genes that were associated with nonsyndromic and syndromic hypodontia or oligodontia as well as that had been found to be involved in tooth development in animal models.

Results
We detected a homozygous nonsense variant in CREB3L1, p.Tyr428*, c.1284C > A in one boy previously diagnosed with OI type III. COL1A1 and COL1A2 were the only two genes among 9 individuals which carried a pathogenic mutation. We found rare variants with unknown significance in several other genes related to tooth development.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that mutations in COL1A1, COL1A2, and CREB3L1 may cause hypodontia and oligodontia in OI. The findings cannot exclude additive effects from other modifying or interacting genes that may contribute to the severity of the expressed phenotype. Larger cohorts and further functional studies are needed.
Interleukin-6 polymorphisms in HCC patients chronically infected with HCV
Authors: Adnan Faisal , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Iqbal Aqib , Ali Ijaz , Petruzziello Arnolfo , Sabatino Rocco , Guzzo Annunziata , Loquercio Giovanna , Botti Gerardo , Khan Sanaullah , Naeem Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Ismail 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma is a primary liver malignancy in which the risk of development is always multifunctional. Interleukin-6 is a proinflammatory and multifunctional cytokine, which plays an important role in the immune response, haematopoiesis and defence against viral infection. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of Interleukin-6 mutations (rs2069837 and rs17147230) associated with genetic risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Khyber Pakthunkhwa population. A total of 72 hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 38 controls were included in this study. The genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood cells and Interleukin-6 genotyping was performed using T-ARMS-PCR technique. Our results show a significant increase risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma with the mutation within Interleukin-6 gene with heterozygous G allele (rs2069837) (OR = 10.667, 95%CI = 3.923–29.001, p = < 0.0001) and heterozygous T allele (rs17147230) (OR = 75.385, 95%CI = 9.797–580.065, p = < 0.0001). However, under recessive gene model the results were insignificant in case of Interleukin-6 rs2069837 (OR = 0.605, 95%CI = 0.217–1.689, p = 0.337), while significant in case of Interleukin-6 rs17147230 (OR = 0.298, 95%CI = 0.121–0.734, p = 0.0085). In conclusion, Interleukin-6 mutation is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility. More related studies with other associated interleukins and their whole gene sequencing will be required.
Semi-quantitative determination of ash element content for freeze-dried, defatted, sulfated and pyrolysed biomass of Scenedesmus sp.
Authors: de Souza Rafael Augusto Sotana , Saldanha-Corrêa Flávia Marisa Prado , Gallego Antonio Garrido , Neto Ana Maria Pereira 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Energy demand by mankind has become one of the most important aspects of our society. A promising technology that seeks to provide part of the energy demand and to obtain high-value products is the thermochemical conversion of microalgae biomass. Inorganic species presented in microalgae biomass may act as catalysts for thermochemical reactions and are responsible for notorious ash-related issues during thermochemical decomposition.

Results
In this study, the freeze-dried biomass of Scenedesmus sp. was used to evaluate the lipid extraction methodology regarding a sonication bath as pretreatment technique for cell disruption followed by vortex mixing and n-hexane as solvent. It is also presented the lipid and amino acid profiles for Scenedesmus sp. The freeze-dried biomass was pyrolysed through a TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), with heating rates of 20 °C/min, from 100 to 650 °C. The ash and sulfated ash contents were accurately determined by combustion of biomass in a muffle furnace. The element component of ashes of the freeze-dried, defatted, pyrolysed and sulfated biomasses was determined by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) fitted with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The lipid content obtained for Scenedesmus sp. dry biomass was 16.72% (± 0.03). The content of the sulfated ash obtained was 17.81 ± 0.15%. The SEM–EDS technique identified different mineral compounds in ashes, allowing to quantify Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Fe, Co and Br, as well as oxides.

Conclusion
The results suggest a possible strategy to evaluate in a semi-quantitative manner the ash composition of freeze-dryed, defatted, sulfated and pyrolysed biomass of Scenedesmus sp. and its feasibility in using Scenedesmus sp. biomass in different thermochemical conversion strategies to achieve processes with positive energy ratio, representing potential use both environmental and energetically.
Pseudo-almost-periodic solutions of quaternion-valued RNNs with mixed delays via a direct method
Authors: Li Yongkun , Xiang Jianglian , Li Bing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we are concerned with the existence and global exponential stability of pseudo-almost-periodic solutions for quaternion-valued recurrent neural networks (RNNs) with time-varying delays. By using the Banach fixed point theorem and proof by contradiction, we directly study the existence and exponential stability of pseudo-almost-periodic solutions of the quaternion-valued systems under consideration without decomposing them into into real- or complex-valued systems. Our results obtained in this paper are new. Finally, we give a numerical example and computer simulation to illustrate the feasibility of our results.
Gut microbiota from persons with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects the brain in mice
Authors: Tengeler Anouk C. , Dam Sarita A. , Wiesmann Maximilian , Naaijen Jilly , van Bodegom Miranda , Belzer Clara , Dederen Pieter J. , Verweij Vivienne , Franke Barbara , Kozicz Tamas , Arias Vasquez Alejandro , Kiliaan Amanda J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe impact of the gut microbiota on host physiology and behavior has been relatively well established. Whether changes in microbial composition affect brain structure and function is largely elusive, however. This is important as altered brain structure and function have been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We hypothesized that gut microbiota of persons with and without ADHD, when transplanted into mice, would differentially modify brain function and/or structure. We investigated this by colonizing young, male, germ-free C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice with microbiota from individuals with and without ADHD. We generated and analyzed microbiome data, assessed brain structure and function bymagnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and studied mouse behavior in a behavioral test battery.ResultsPrincipal coordinate analysis showed a clear separation of fecal microbiota of mice colonized with ADHD and control microbiota. With diffusion tensor imaging, we observed a decreased structural integrity of both white and gray matter regions (i.e., internal capsule, hippocampus) in mice that were colonized with ADHD microbiota. We also found significant correlations between white matter integrity and the differentially expressed microbiota. Mice colonized with ADHD microbiota additionally showed decreased resting-state functional MRI-based connectivity between right motor and right visual cortices. These regions, as well as the hippocampus and internal capsule, have previously been reported to be altered in several neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, we also show that mice colonized with ADHD microbiota were more anxious in the open-field test.ConclusionsTaken together, we demonstrate that altered microbial composition could be a driver of altered brain structure and function and concomitant changes in the animals’ behavior. These findings may help to understand the mechanisms through which the gut microbiota contributes to the pathobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Population dynamics of the predator Alloeocranum biannulipes Montrouzier and Signoret (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) feeding on the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), infesting cassava chips
Authors: Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle , Onzo Alexis , Datinon Benjamin , Akogninou Lopez , Toffa Joelle , Dannon Elie , Tamo Manuele 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFunctional and numerical responses of adult females of the predatory bug Alloeocranum biannulipes Montrouzier and Signoret (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) to density changes of the larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), infesting cassava chips were investigated under laboratory conditions. Starved predators were exposed to different prey density as treatments with 6 replicates. Numbers of prey consumed, eggs laid, and adults emerged as well as the hatching rates were recorded daily. When feeding on the larvae of P. truncatus, consumption increased linearly (R2 = 0.858) with the increase in larval density. At the highest pupal density of 6 P. truncatus pupae per predator, A. biannulipes adult showed the highest consumption rates (1.67 pupae). The Holling’s type I and III functional responses were observed when A. biannulipes consumed P. truncatus larvae and pupae, respectively. The attack of the predator estimated to 0.027 h−1 for larvae and 0.125 h−1 for pupae. The handling time spent on pupae by the adult predator was 0.352 h with a theoretical daily maximum predation (T/Th) of 68.18 pupae of P. truncatus. The numerical response of A. biannulipes was positively linked to pupal density, with more eggs laid per female, and higher hatching rate when exposed to higher prey densities. Efficiency of food conversion into eggs by A. biannulipes increased with decreasing larval densities and remained constant with increasing pupal densities. These functional and numerical responses exhibited by A. biannulipes suggest that this predator can effectively control P. truncatus larvae at low densities and pupae both at low and high densities. Therefore, A. biannulipes could be a good candidate for the biological control of P. truncatus.