bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Point-prevalence survey of hospital acquired infections in three acute care hospitals in Northern Nigeria
Authors: Abubakar Usman 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Effective infection prevention and control strategies require reliable data describing the epidemiology of hospital acquired infections (HAIs), and this is currently lacking in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, types and risk factors associated with HAIs in acute care hospitals in Northern Nigeria.

Methods
A pilot point-prevalence survey was conducted in three acute care hospitals in Northern Nigeria between April and May 2019 using a protocol developed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Patients admitted into the wards at or before 8.00 am on the survey date were included. Patients’ medical records were reviewed by a clinical pharmacist with the support of the attending physician and nurse to identify HAIs.

Results
Of the 321 patients surveyed, 50 HAIs were identified among 46 patients translating into a point-prevalence of 14.3%. The most common HAIs were bloodstream infection (38.0%), surgical site infections (32.0%) and pneumonia (12.0%). Neonatal (53.0%), pediatric surgical (26.7%) and surgical (10.1%) specialties had the highest prevalence. Device associated infections represented 16% of all HAIs including bloodstream infections and pneumonia. Of all the HAIs, 15 (30.0%) were present at the time of admission while 75.5% originated from the current hospitals. Univariate analysis showed that newborn (less than 1 month old) (OR: 4.687 95% CI: 1.298–16.927), intubation (OR: 3.966, 95% CI: 1.698–9.261), and neonatal (OR: 41.538 95% CI: 4.980–346.5) and pediatric surgical (OR: 13.091 95% CI: 1.532–111.874) specialties were significantly associated with HAI.

Conclusion
The prevalence of HAI was relatively high compared to other developing countries and was significantly associated with neonatal and pediatric surgical specialties. Hospital infection control strategies should be strengthened to reduce the burden of HAIs.
Paroxetine ameliorates prodromal emotional dysfunction and late-onset memory deficit in Alzheimer’s disease mice
Authors: Ai Peng-Hui , Chen Si , Liu Xian-Dong , Zhu Xiao-Na , Pan Yuan-Bo , Feng Dong-Fu , Chen Shengdi , Xu Nan-Jie , Sun Suya 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as depression, anxiety, apathy, and irritability occur in prodromal phases of clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which might be an increased risk for later developing AD. Here we treated young APP/PS1 AD model mice prophylactically with serotonin-selective re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine and investigated the protective role of anti-depressant agent in emotional abnormalities and cognitive defects during disease progress.

Methods
To investigate the protective role of paroxetine in emotional abnormalities and cognitive defects during disease progress, we performed emotional behaviors of 3 months old APP/PS1 mouse following oral administration of paroxetine prophylactically starting at 1 month of age. Next, we tested the cognitive, biochemical and pathological, effects of long term administration of paroxetine at 6 months old.

Results
Our results showed that AD mice displayed emotional dysfunction in the early stage. Prophylactic administration of paroxetine ameliorated the initial emotional abnormalities and preserved the eventual memory function in AD mice.

Conclusion
Our data indicate that prophylactic administration of paroxetine ameliorates the emotional dysfunction and memory deficit in AD mice. These neuroprotective effects are attributable to functional restoration of glutamate receptor (GluN2A) in AD mice.
Multi-omics reveals that the rumen microbiome and its metabolome together with the host metabolome contribute to individualized dairy cow performance
Authors: Xue Ming-Yuan , Sun Hui-Zeng , Wu Xue-Hui , Liu Jian-Xin , Guan Le Luo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Recently, we reported that some dairy cows could produce high amounts of milk with high amounts of protein (defined as milk protein yield [MPY]) when a population was raised under the same nutritional and management condition, a potential new trait that can be used to increase high-quality milk production. It is unknown to what extent the rumen microbiome and its metabolites, as well as the host metabolism, contribute to MPY. Here, analysis of rumen metagenomics and metabolomics, together with serum metabolomics was performed to identify potential regulatory mechanisms of MPY at both the rumen microbiome and host levels.

Results
Metagenomics analysis revealed that several Prevotella species were significantly more abundant in the rumen of high-MPY cows, contributing to improved functions related to branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. In addition, the rumen microbiome of high-MPY cows had lower relative abundances of organisms with methanogen and methanogenesis functions, suggesting that these cows may produce less methane. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the relative concentrations of rumen microbial metabolites (mainly amino acids, carboxylic acids, and fatty acids) and the absolute concentrations of volatile fatty acids were higher in the high-MPY cows. By associating the rumen microbiome with the rumen metabolome, we found that specific microbial taxa (mainly Prevotella species) were positively correlated with ruminal microbial metabolites, including the amino acids and carbohydrates involved in glutathione, phenylalanine, starch, sucrose, and galactose metabolism. To detect the interactions between the rumen microbiome and host metabolism, we associated the rumen microbiome with the host serum metabolome and found that Prevotella species may affect the host’s metabolism of amino acids (including glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, cysteine, and methionine). Further analysis using the linear mixed effect model estimated contributions to the variation in MPY based on different omics and revealed that the rumen microbial composition, functions, and metabolites, and the serum metabolites contributed 17.81, 21.56, 29.76, and 26.78%, respectively, to the host MPY.

Conclusions
These findings provide a fundamental understanding of how the microbiome-dependent and host-dependent mechanisms contribute to varied individualized performance in the milk production quality of dairy cows under the same management condition. This fundamental information is vital for the development of potential manipulation strategies to improve milk quality and production through precision feeding.
A powerful microbial group association test based on the higher criticism analysis for sparse microbial association signals
Authors: Koh Hyunwook , Zhao Ni 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn human microbiome studies, it is crucial to evaluate the association between microbial group (e.g., community or clade) composition and a host phenotype of interest. In response, a number of microbial group association tests have been proposed, which account for the unique features of the microbiome data (e.g., high-dimensionality, compositionality, phylogenetic relationship). These tests generally fall in the class of aggregation tests which amplify the overall group association by combining all the underlying microbial association signals, and, therefore, they are powerful when many microbial species are associated with a given host phenotype (i.e., low sparsity). However, in practice, the microbial association signals can be highly sparse, and this is especially the situation where we have a difficulty to discover the microbial group association.MethodsHere, we introduce a powerful microbial group association test for sparse microbial association signals, namely, microbiome higher criticism analysis (MiHC). MiHC is a data-driven omnibus test taken in a search space spanned by tailoring the higher criticism test to incorporate phylogenetic information and/or modulate sparsity levels and including the Simes test for excessively high sparsity levels. Therefore, MiHC robustly adapts to diverse phylogenetic relevance and sparsity levels.ResultsOur simulations show that MiHC maintains a high power at different phylogenetic relevance and sparsity levels with correct type I error controls. We also apply MiHC to four real microbiome datasets to test the association between respiratory tract microbiome and smoking status, the association between the infant’s gut microbiome and delivery mode, the association between the gut microbiome and type 1 diabetes status, and the association between the gut microbiome and human immunodeficiency virus status.ConclusionsIn practice, the true underlying association pattern on the extent of phylogenetic relevance and sparsity is usually unknown. Therefore, MiHC can be a useful analytic tool because of its high adaptivity to diverse phylogenetic relevance and sparsity levels. MiHC can be implemented in the R computing environment using our software package freely available athttps://github.com/hk1785/MiHC.
Cross section shape optimization of wire strands subjected to purely tensile loads using a reduced helical model
Authors: Filotto Francesco Maria , Runkel Falk , Kress Gerald 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces a shape optimization of wire strands subjected to tensile loads. The structural analysis relies on a recently developed reduced helical finite element model characterized by an extreme computational efficacy while accounting for complex geometries of the wires. The model is extended to consider interactions between components and its applicability is demonstrated by comparison with analytical and finite element models. The reduced model is exploited in a design optimization identifying the optimal shape of a 1 + 6 strand by means of a genetic algorithm. A novel geometrical parametrization is applied and different objectives, such as stress concentration and area minimization, and constraints, corresponding to operational limitations and requirements, are analyzed. The optimal shape is finally identified and its performance improvements are compared and discussed against the reference strand. Operational benefits include lower stress concentration and higher load at plastification initiation.
Aerosol-generating otolaryngology procedures and the need for enhanced PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic: A literature review
Authors: Mick Paul , Murphy Russell 
Published: May 2020

Background Adequate personal protective equipment is needed to reduce the rate of transmission of COVID-19 to health care workers. Otolaryngology groups are recommending a higher level of personal protective equipment for aerosol-generating procedures than public health agencies. The objective of the review was to provide evidence that a.) demonstrates which otolaryngology procedures are aerosol-generating, and that b.) clarifies whether the higher level of PPE advocated by otolaryngology groups is justified. Main body Health care workers in China who performed tracheotomy during the SARS-CoV-1 epidemic had 4.15 times greater odds of contracting the virus than controls who did not perform tracheotomy (95% CI 2.75–7.54). No other studies provide direct epidemiological evidence of increased aerosolized transmission of viruses during otolaryngology procedures. Experimental evidence has shown that electrocautery, advanced energy devices, open suctioning, and drilling can create aerosolized biological particles. The viral load of COVID-19 is highest in the upper aerodigestive tract, increasing the likelihood that aerosols generated during procedures of the upper aerodigestive tract of infected patients would carry viral material. Cough and normal breathing create aerosols which may increase the risk of transmission during outpatient procedures. A significant proportion of individuals infected with COVID-19 may not have symptoms, raising the likelihood of transmission of the disease to inadequately protected health care workers from patients who do not have probable or confirmed infection. Powered air purifying respirators, if used properly, provide a greater level of filtration than N95 masks and thus may reduce the risk of transmission. Conclusion Direct and indirect evidence suggests that a large number of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery procedures are aerosol generating. Otolaryngologists are likely at high risk of contracting COVID-19 during aerosol generating procedures because they are likely exposed to high viral loads in patients infected with the virus. Based on the precautionary principle, even though the evidence is not definitive, adopting enhanced personal protective equipment protocols is reasonable based on the evidence. Further research is needed to clarify the risk associated with performing various procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the degree to which various personal protective equipment reduces the risk.
Narcissistic traits in young people: understanding the role of parenting and maltreatment
Authors: van Schie Charlotte C. , Jarman Heidi L. , Huxley Elizabeth , Grenyer Brin F. S. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Elevated narcissism in young people often sets up a cascade of interpersonal and mental health challenges, reinforcing the need to understand its concomitants. Experiences of maltreatment and different parenting styles have been implicated but findings to date are inconclusive. By simultaneously considering multiple remembered parenting styles and maltreatment in a large sample, this study aims to elucidate possible prognostic factors associated with both grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits in youth.

Methods
Young people (N = 328, age range: 17–25 years) reported on the remembered interpersonal environment and current grandiose and vulnerable narcissism traits. Structural equation modelling was used to examine maternal and paternal parenting styles and examine the association between experiences of parenting and grandiose and vulnerable narcissism.

Results
Remembered overprotection from mothers and fathers was associated with both vulnerable and grandiose narcissistic traits. Remembered maternal overvaluation related to current grandiosity, and maternal leniency related to vulnerable narcissistic traits. For paternal parenting, the combination of overvaluation and leniency and overvaluation and care explained grandiose and vulnerable traits. There was no direct effect of remembered parental care or childhood maltreatment on current levels of narcissistic traits.

Conclusions
Remembered childhood experiences of being overprotected, overvalued and experiencing leniency in parental discipline, were associated with higher traits of pathological narcissism in young people. Care and maltreatment were non-specific risk factors. Remembered childhood environments of being excessively pampered are associated with grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits, characterised by the young person expressing unrealistic self-views, entitlement beliefs and impaired autonomy. In treatment these traits may emerge in the patient-therapist relationship and working through their developmental origins may contribute to outcomes.
On the average secrecy capacity for indoor visible light communication systems
Authors: Zhang Jun Zheng , Ke Ke 
Published: May 2020

AbstractFor visible light communication (VLC), the light signals are transmitted without optical fibers or any sort of wave-guiding. Due to the inherent broadcast nature, physical-layer security emerges as a promising method to protect information delivery from eavesdropping. As for the secrecy capacity of VLC channel, there exist two features. In one way, the limited optical power makes the common capacity expressions in radio-frequency (RF) communication unapplicable for VLC. In another way, several correlated geometrical parameters directly alters the Lambertian model of indoor VLC channel, which gives the secrecy capacity more meanings. However, the issue considering both aspects has not been studied recently. In this paper, from the practical scenarios, we extract a typical geometrical model to reveal the mobility principles of the legitimate receiver and the eavesdroppers. Then, we character two typical distributions of the geometrical parameter. Correspondingly, we derive the upper and lower bounds on the average secrecy capacity, which have the closed forms. Finally, simulation results show that our upper and lower bounds are tight at high optical signal-to-noise rates (OSNRs). Moreover, the geometrical features of VLC systems and distribution parameters of the receiver mobility are effectively reveal by the bounds.
Feasibility of CT quantification of intratumoural 166Ho-microspheres
Authors: C. Bakker R. , Bastiaannet R. , van Nimwegen S. A. , D. Barten-van Rijbroek A. , Van Es R. J. J. , Rosenberg A. J. W. P. , de Jong H. W. A. M. , Lam M. G. E. H. , Nijsen J. F. W. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Microspheres loaded with radioactive 166Ho (166Ho-MS) are novel particles for radioembolisation and intratumoural treatment. Because of the limited penetration of β radiation, quantitative imaging of microsphere distribution is crucial for optimal intratumoural treatment. Computed tomography (CT) may provide high-resolution and fast imaging of the distribution of these microspheres, with lower costs and widespread availability in comparison with current standard single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging. This phantom study investigated the feasibility of CT quantification of 166Ho-MS.

Methods
CT quantification was performed on a phantom with various concentrations of HoCl and Ho-MS to investigate the CT sensitivity and calibrate the CT recovery. 166Ho-MS were injected into ex vivo tissues, in VX-2 cancer-bearing rabbits, and in patients with head-neck cancer, to demonstrate sensitivity and clinical visibility. The amount of Ho-MS was determined by CT scanning, using a density-based threshold method and compared with a validated 166Ho SPECT quantification method.

Results
In the phantom, a near perfect linearity (least squares R2 > 0.99) between HU values and concentration of 166Ho was found. Ex vivo tissue experiments showed an excellent correlation (r = 0.99, p < 0.01) between the dose calibrator, SPECT, and CT imaging. CT recovery was on average 86.4% ex vivo, 76.0% in rabbits, and 99.1% in humans.

Conclusion
This study showed that CT-based quantification of Ho microspheres is feasible and is a high-resolution alternative to SPECT-based determination of their local distribution.
Further results on edge even graceful labeling of the join of two graphs
Authors: Zeen El Deen Mohamed R. , Omar Nora A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we investigated the edge even graceful labeling property of the join of two graphs. A function f is called an edge even graceful labeling of a graph G=(V(G),E(G)) with p=|V(G)| vertices and q=|E(G)| edges if f:E(G)→{2,4,...,2q} is bijective and the induced function f∗:V(G) →{0,2,4,⋯,2q−2 }, defined as $ f^{\ast }(x) = ({\sum \nolimits }_{xy \in E(G)} f(xy)~)~\mbox{{mod}}~(2k) $f∗(x)=(∑xy∈E(G)f(xy))mod(2k), where k=max(p,q), is an injective function. Sufficient conditions for the complete bipartite graph Km,n =mK1+nK1 to have an edge even graceful labeling are established. Also, we introduced an edge even graceful labeling of the join of the graph K1 with the star graph K1,n, the wheel graph Wn and the sunflower graph sfn for all $n \in \mathbb {N}$n∈ℕ. Finally, we proved that the join of the graph $\overline {K}_{2}~$K¯2 with the star graph K1,n, the wheel graph Wn and the cyclic graph Cn are edge even graceful graphs.
Aqueous chemistry of anthropogenically contaminated Bengaluru lakes
Authors: Rao Sudhakar , Mogili Nitish V. , A Priscilla , A Lydia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAnthropogenic activities impact the major ion composition of fresh water sources. The inorganic species are likely to be influenced by mineral dissolution, mineral precipitation, redox and ion-exchange reactions in the contaminated lakes. Owing to paucity of research, this study examines the influence of bio-geochemical reactions on the major ion composition of sewage contaminated Bengaluru lakes. The selected lakes represent water bodies in the major valley systems of the city that are polluted by partly treated sewage and stormwater runoffs. Hydrogeochemical facies of the lake samples showed that enrichment of Mg2+, Na+, Cl−and SO42−ions from anthropogenic contamination altered the chemical type of the lake-water. Examination of processes influencing the major ion composition of surface waters indicated that evaporation than rock-weathering tends to influence the chemical composition of the Bengaluru lakes. Precipitation of carbonate minerals in the alkaline pH contributed to the deficiency of alkaline earth ions, while dissolution of anthropogenic gypsum enhanced the SO42−ion concentration of the lakes. Solute diffusion from lake water into the pore solutions of sediments and ion-exchange reactions between monovalent ions of sediments and divalent cations in lake water are additional pathways that influence the major ion composition of the contaminated lakes. Besides alterations in major ion composition, organic contamination, biochemical reactions associated with photosynthesis activity of algae and release of toxic Al3+ions from mineral dissolution are consequences of the lake contamination.
Hypoalbuminemia and obesity class II are reliable predictors of peri-prosthetic joint infection in patient undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Man Sheryl Lok-Chi , Chau Wai-Wang , Chung Kwong-Yin , Ho Kevin Ki Wai 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Malnutrition is a common and modifiable risk factor for postoperative complications and adverse outcomes in orthopedics. The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers of malnutrition in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that are predictive of adverse in-hospital postoperative complications, to facilitate the identification of at-risk patients for nutritional optimization before surgery.

Methods
A total of 624 patients who underwent elective TKA between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated; potential biomarkers of preoperative malnutrition, including hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL), total lymphocyte count (TLC < 1500 cells/mm3), and body mass index (BMI), were assessed for any association with in-hospital postoperative complications.

Results
The prevalence of hypoalbuminemia, low TLC, overweight, obesity class I, and obesity class II were, respectively 2.72%, 33.4%, 14.8%, 44.5%, and 26.9%. There was a significant association between hypoalbuminemia and obesity class II (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) with rates of peri-prosthetic joint infection, and no significant association between such complications and low TLC, overweight, or obesity class I. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with hypoalbuminemia or being in obesity class II with gouty arthritis were more likely to suffer from peri-prosthetic joint infection.

Conclusions
Hypoalbuminemia and obesity class II together is a reliable biomarker of preoperative malnutrition for predicting peri-prosthetic joint infection after elective TKA, whereas low TLC, overweight, and obesity class I were not significantly associated with an increased risk of such complications.