bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived effects of farm tractors in four African countries, highlighted by participatory impact diagrams
Authors: Daum Thomas , Adegbola Ygué Patrice , Kamau Geoffrey , Kergna Alpha Oumar , Daudu Christogonus , Zossou Roch Cedrique , Crinot Géraud Fabrice , Houssou Paul , Mose Lawrence , Ndirpaya Yarama , Wahab A. A. , Kirui Oliver , Oluwole Fatunbi Abiodun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAgricultural mechanization is on the rise in Africa. A widespread replacement of manual labor and animal traction will change the face of African agriculture. Despite this potentially transformative role, only a few studies have looked at the effects of mechanization empirically, mostly focusing on yields and labor alone. This is the first paper that explores perceived agronomic, environmental, and socioeconomic effects together, thereby revealing linkages and trade-offs, some of which have been hitherto unknown. Data were collected using a novel data collection method called “participatory impact diagrams” in four countries: Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, and Mali. In 129 gendered focus group discussions, 1330 respondents from 87 villages shared their perceptions on the positive and negative effects of agricultural mechanization, and developed causal impact chains. The results suggest that mechanization is likely to have more far-reaching agronomic, environmental, and socioeconomic consequences than commonly assumed. Most perceived effects were positive, suggesting that mechanization can help to reduce poverty and enhance food security but other effects were negative such as deforestation, soil erosion, land-use conflicts, and gender inequalities. Accompanying research and policy efforts, which reflect variations in local agro-ecological and socioeconomic conditions, are needed to ensure that mechanization contributes to an African agricultural transformation that is sustainable from a social, economic, and environmental perspective.
Evaluation of Terpenes’ Degradation Rates by Rumen Fluid of Adapted and Non-adapted Animals
Authors: Poulopoulou I. , Hadjigeorgiou I. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate terpenes degradation rate in the rumen fluid from adapted and non-adapted animals. Four castrated healthy animals, two rams and two bucks, were used. Animals were daily orally dosed for 2 weeks with 1 g of each of the following terpenes, α-pinene, limonene and β-caryophyllene. At the end of each week, rumen fluid (RF) samples were assayed in vitro for their potential to degrade terpenes over time. For each animal, a 10 mL reaction medium (RM) at a ratio 1:9 (v/v) was prepared and a terpenes solution at a concentration of 100 μg/ml each, was added in each RM tube. Tubes were incubated at 39 °C under anaerobic conditions and their contents sampled at 0, 2, 4, 8, 21 and 24 h. RF could degrade terpenes as it was shown by the significantly (P < 0.05) higher overall degradation rates. Individual terpene degradation rates, were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in week 5 for limonene and marginally (P = 0.083) higher also in week 5 for α-pinene. In conclusion, the findings of the present preliminary study suggest that terpenes can be degraded in the rumen fluid.
Influence of different Ni coatings on the long-term behavior of ultrasonic welded EN AW 1370 cable/EN CW 004A arrestor dissimilar joints
Authors: Köhler Tobias , Grätzel Michael , Bergmann Jean Pierre 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe increasing demand for energy-efficient vehicles requires suitable methods for cost and weight reduction. This can be achieved by the replacement of copper by aluminum, in particular for the on-board power systems. However, the complete substitution is restricted by the mechanical and physical material properties of aluminum as well as challenges in the aluminum copper interface. The challenges concern the corrosion vulnerability and the occurrence of brittle intermetallic compounds (IMC) which can negatively influence the mechanical properties and the electrical conductivity. Therefore, current investigations focus on the one hand on the realization of dissimilar aluminum copper joints by suitable joining technologies, like ultrasonic welding, and on the other hand on the assurance of a sufficient prevention against harmful corrosion effects. In cases where the joint cannot be protected against corrosion by sealing, nickel coatings can be used to protect the joint. In the present study, the influence of electroless, electroplated, and sulfamate nickel coatings was investigated regarding the long-term stability. The joints were performed as industry-related arrester connections, consisting of EN AW 1370 cables and EN CW 004A terminals. The samples were exposed to corrosive as well as electrical, thermal, and mechanical stress tests according to current standards and regulations.
Assessing psychopathology in bariatric surgery candidates: discriminant validity of the SCL-90-R and SCL-K-9 in a large sample of patients
Authors: Bianciardi Emanuela , Gentileschi Paolo , Niolu Cinzia , Innamorati Marco , Fabbricatore Mariantonietta , Contini Lorenzo Maria , Procenesi Leonardo , Siracusano Alberto , Imperatori Claudio 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Pre-surgical psychosocial evaluation of bariatric surgery (BS) patients should identify psychiatric issues that could worsen after surgery and those requiring additional ongoing intervention. In this view, the use of reliable, appropriate and concise evaluating instruments is of critical importance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical utility of both the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and its brief unidimensional version, the so-called Symptom-Checklist-K-9 (SCL-K-9) in detecting the presence of psychiatric disorders among bariatric surgery (BS) candidates.

Methods
Seven-hundred-and-ninety-eight BS candidates (563 women and 235 men; mean age: 44.15 ± 11.45) were enrolled in the present study. All participants underwent a full psychiatric interview and were administered the SCL-90-R.

Results
Three-hundred-and-sixty-two patients (45.4%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of at least one psychiatric disorder and ninety-nine patients (12.4%) had psychiatric comorbidities. In the current sample, 219 patients (27.4%) met the criteria for binge eating disorders (BED), 158 (19.8%) met the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), and 67 (8.4%) met both criteria. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves procedure showed that both the SCL-90-R and the SCL-K-9 satisfactorily categorize patients with any psychiatric disorder, both BED and MDD (area under the ROC curve ≥ 0.70, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
Our results suggest that the SCL-90-R and the SCL-K-9 may represent first-level screening tests identifying at-risk patients, eligible for a more expensive or time-consuming clinical assessment.

Level of evidence
Level V, cross-sectional, descriptive study.
Effect of temperature and mating pair on tribological properties of DLC and GLC coatings under high pressure lubricated by MoDTC and ZDDP
Authors: Liu Kang , Kang Jia-jie , Zhang Guang-an , Lu Zhi-bin , Yue Wen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDiamond-like carbon (DLC) and graphite-like carbon (GLC) coatings have good prospects for improving the surface properties of engine parts. However, further understanding is needed on the effect of working conditions on tribological behaviors. In this study, GLC and two types of DLC coatings were deposited on GCr15 substrate for investigation. The friction and wear properties of self-mated and steel-mated pairs were evaluated. Two temperatures (25 and 90 °C), three lubrication conditions (base oil, molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC)-containing oil, MoDTC+zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)-containing oil), and high Hertz contact stress (2.41 GPa) were applied in the experiments. The results showed that high temperature promoted the effect of ZDDP on steel-mated pairs, but increased wear under base oil lubrication. The increased wear for steel-mated pairs lubricated by MoDTC-containing oil was due to abrasive wear probably caused by MoO3 and β-FeMoO4. It was also found that in most cases, the tribological properties of self-mated pairs were better than those of steel-mated pairs.
Synergistic nano-tribological interaction between zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) and methyl oleate for biodiesel-fueled engines
Authors: Hamdan Siti Hartini , Lee Chiew Tin , Lee Mei Bao , Chong William Woei Fong , Chong Cheng Tung , Sanip Suhaila Mohd 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn biodiesel-fueled compression-ignition (CI) engines, dilution by unburned biodiesel has been found to have adverse effects on the boundary lubrication properties of additives in fully formulated engine lubricants. Such dilution of engine lubricants could be even more pronounced for CI engines running on higher blend concentrations of biodiesel. Given the nanoscopic nature of the interaction, this study seeks to determine the nano-tribological properties of an engine lubricant additive (e.g., zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP)) when diluted with a fatty acid methyl ester (e.g., methyl oleate). Using lateral force microscopy (LFM) together with a fluid imaging technique, the lowest nanoscopic friction forces and coefficient of friction values (0.068–0.085) were measured for ZDDP when diluted with 70 vol% of methyl oleate. These values are also observed to be lower than those measured for neat ZDDP and neat methyl oleate, respectively, under similar conditions. Subsequently, interpreting the data with the Eyring thermal activation energy approach, it could then be elucidated that the lower frictional losses observed for the contact lubricated with this volumetric mixture are a result of the lower potential energy barrier and activation energy required to initiate sliding. These energy values are approximated to be 2.6% and 28.9% (respectively) lower than that of the contact lubricated with neat ZDDP. It was also found that the mixture, at this volumetric concentration, possesses the highest possible pressure activation energy (load-carrying capacity) along with the lowest possible shear activation energy (shearing), potentially indicating optimum tribological conditions for boundary lubrication. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that an optimum concentration threshold exists in which a synergistic nano-tribological interaction between additives and fatty acid methyl esters can be attained, potentially reducing boundary frictional losses of lubricated conjunctions. Such findings could prove to be essential in effectively formulating synergistic additive concentrations for engine lubricants used in biodiesel-fueled CI engines.
Running-in behavior of a H-DLC/Al2O3 pair at the nanoscale
Authors: Shi Pengfei , Sun Junhui , Liu Yunhai , Zhang Bin , Zhang Junyan , Chen Lei , Qian Linmao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDiamond-like carbon (DLC) film has been developed as an extremely effective lubricant to reduce energy dissipation; however, most films should undergo running-in to achieve a super-low friction state. In this study, the running-in behaviors of an H-DLC/Al2O3 pair were investigated through a controllable single-asperity contact study using an atomic force microscope. This study presents direct evidence that illustrates the role of transfer layer formation and oxide layer removal in the friction reduction during running-in. After 200 sliding cycles, a thin transfer layer was formed on the Al2O3 tip. Compared with a clean tip, this modified tip showed a significantly lower adhesion force and friction force on the original H-DLC film, which confirmed the contribution of the transfer layer formation in the friction reduction during running-in. It was also found that the friction coefficient of the H-DLC/Al2O3 pair decreased linearly as the oxygen concentration of the H-DLC substrate surface decreased. This phenomenon can be explained by a change in the contact surface from an oxygen termination with strong hydrogen bond interactions to a hydrogen termination with weak van der Waals interactions. These results provide new insights that quantitatively reveal the running-in mechanism at the nanoscale, which may help with the design optimization of DLC films for different environmental applications.
Leukocytospermia in late adolescents: possible clinical interpretations
Authors: La Vignera S. , Cannarella R. , Aversa A. , Rago R. , Condorelli R. A. , Calogero A. E. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
No data are currently available on the implication of amicrobial leukocytospermia in male adolescents. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of amicrobial leukocytospermia among non-smoker late adolescents who were exposed to other risky lifestyles for the andrological health. The main andrological clinical features of adolescents with leukocytospermia were also reported.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study carried out in 80 boys. Each adolescent underwent a physical examination, and to the assessment of sperm conventional parameters, seminal leukocytes concentration and immature germ cell evaluation. A possible correlation between seminal leukocytes and immature germ cells and testicular volume (TV) was tested.

Results
The adolescents enrolled in this study had 18.0 ± 0.4 (range 18.1–18.9) years. Unprotected sexual intercourse was referred by 38% of them. Sexual dysfunctions were found in 25% and isolated hypoactive sexual desire in 12.5% of boys. Low TV and penile length in flaccidity were found in 44% and 30% of them, respectively. Only 41% had normozoospermia at the sperm analysis, whereas 19% had isolated oligozoospermia, 15% oligo-asthenozoospermia, and 25% oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. Leukocytospermia occurred in 25% (20 out of 80) of adolescents. No seminal infection was detected in 19% (15 out of 80) of them. Adolescents with leukocytospermia had lower progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal forms, TV, and a higher percentage of immature germ cells compared to those without leukocytospermia. Semen leukocyte concentration correlated negatively with TV and positively with the percentage of immature germ cells in the ejaculate.

Conclusion
Leukocytospermia, increased immature germ cell number, and low TV identify a distinct phenotype suggestive of testicular tubulopathy. Primary prevention of male infertility and the counselling for andrological risky lifestyles is mandatory and should be started as early as possible.
Clinical exome sequencing is a powerful tool in the diagnostic flow of monogenic kidney diseases: an Italian experience
Authors: Vaisitti Tiziana , Sorbini Monica , Callegari Martina , Kalantari Silvia , Bracciamà Valeria , Arruga Francesca , Vanzino Silvia Bruna , Rendine Sabina , Togliatto Gabriele , Giachino Daniela , Pelle Alessandra , Cocchi Enrico , Benvenuta Chiara , Baldovino Simone , Rollino Cristiana , Fenoglio Roberta , Sciascia Savino , Tamagnone Michela , Vitale Corrado , Calabrese Giovanni , Biancone Luigi , Bussolino Stefania , Savoldi Silvana , Borzumati Maurizio , Cantaluppi Vincenzo , Chiappero Fabio , Ungari Silvana , Peruzzi Licia , Roccatello Dario , Amoroso Antonio , Deaglio Silvia 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
A considerable minority of patients on waiting lists for kidney transplantation either have no diagnosis (and fall into the subset of undiagnosed cases) because kidney biopsy was not performed or histological findings were non-specific, or do not fall into any well-defined clinical category. Some of these patients might be affected by a previously unrecognised monogenic disease.

Methods
Through a multidisciplinary cooperative effort, we built an analytical pipeline to identify patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a clinical suspicion of a monogenic condition or without a well-defined diagnosis. Following the stringent phenotypical and clinical characterization required by the flowchart, candidates meeting these criteria were further investigated by clinical exome sequencing followed by in silico analysis of 225 kidney-disease-related genes.

Results
By using an ad hoc web-based platform, we enrolled 160 patients from 13 different Nephrology and Genetics Units located across the Piedmont region over 15 months. A preliminary “remote” evaluation based on well-defined inclusion criteria allowed us to define eligibility for NGS analysis. Among the 138 recruited patients, 52 (37.7%) were children and 86 (62.3%) were adults. Up to 48% of them had a positive family history for kidney disease. Overall, applying this workflow led to the identification of genetic variants potentially explaining the phenotype in 78 (56.5%) cases.

Conclusions
These results underline the importance of clinical exome sequencing as a versatile and highly useful, non-invasive tool for genetic diagnosis of kidney diseases. Identifying patients who can benefit from targeted therapies, and improving the management of organ transplantation are further expected applications.
ExoHCR: a sensitive assay to profile PD-L1 level on tumor exosomes for immunotherapeutic prognosis
Authors: Hu Lujun , Chen Wenjie , Zhou Shurong , Zhu Guizhi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCancer immunotherapy has made recent breakthrough, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) that inhibits immunosuppressive checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). However, most cancer patients do not durably respond to ICB. To predict ICB responses for patient stratification, conventional immunostaining has been used to analyze the PD-L1 expression level on biopsied tumor tissues but has limitations of invasiveness and tumor heterogeneity. Recently, PD-L1 levels on tumor cell exosomes showed the potential to predict ICB response. Here, we developed a non-invasive, sensitive, and fast assay, termed as exosome-hybridization chain reaction (ExoHCR), to analyze tumor cell exosomal PD-L1 levels. First, using αCD63-conjugated magnetic beads, we isolated exosomes from B16F10 melanoma and CT26 colorectal cancer cells that were immunostimulated to generate PD-L1-positive exosomes. Exosomes were then incubated with a conjugate of PD-L1 antibody with an HCR trigger DNA (T), in which one αPD-L1-T conjugate carried multiple copies of T. Next, a pair of metastable fluorophore-labeled hairpin DNA (H1 and H2) were added, allowing T on αPD-L1-T to initiate HCR in situ on bead-conjugated exosome surfaces. By flow cytometric analysis of the resulting beads, relative to αPD-L1-fluorophore conjugates, ExoHCR amplified the fluorescence signal intensities for exosome detection by 3–7 times in B16F10 cells and CT26 cells. Moreover, we validated the biostability of ExoHCR in culture medium supplemented with 50% FBS. These results suggest the potential of ExoHCR for non-invasive, sensitive, and fast PD-L1 exosomal profiling in patient stratification of cancer immunotherapy.
Divide and Invest: Bargaining in a Dynamic Framework
Authors: Flamini Francesca 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMany negotiations (for instance, among political parties or partners in a business) are characterized by dynamic bargaining: current agreements affect future bargaining possibilities. We study such situations using bargaining games á la Rubinstein (Econometrica 50:97–109, 1982), with the novelty that players can decide how much to invest, as well as how to share the residual surplus for their own consumption. Their investment decisions affect the size of the next surplus. In line with the existing literature, we focus on Markov Perfect Equilibria, where consumption and investment are linear time-invariant functions of capital and show that standard results in bargaining theory can be overturned. For instance, a more patient proposer may consume less than his opponent. The intuition is that when capital is productive, both parties have incentives to invest, however, the most patient party wishes to invest significantly more than his opponent. Then, to prioritize investment—which affects future bargaining possibilities—the former must make larger concessions and let the latter consume more. Another interesting result is that if a player becomes more patient, both parties may reduce their investment. The key underlying driver of this result is that when counteroffers become cheaper for an impatient party, he is able to reduce his investment and consume more. This forces his opponent to make larger concessions (and reduce his investment plan). Moreover, extreme demands (where a player consumes all the residual surplus) are possible in equilibrium, under fairly modest assumptions. Finally, only when bargaining is frictionless, is the equilibrium efficient.
Prevalence and special clinical and biochemical characteristics of familial type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus in pediatric patients in a tertiary care setting
Authors: AlMutair Angham , AlSabty Norah , AlNuaim Hala , Al Hamdan Rawan , Moukaddem Afaf 
Published: November 2020

Background and Objectives:
The hereditable nature of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) makes it a condition that is in some cases shared among siblings. Studies that focus on the epidemiology of T1DM among siblings are scarce. The primary focus of the study is to estimate the prevalence of familial T1DM among siblings and the secondary focus is to identify the presence of any special clinical or biochemical characteristics specific to this entity.

Methods:
In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the charts of 308 children (>1 year) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus in a Saudi tertiary care setting were reviewed. The patients who have one sibling or more with T1DM were included. The prevalence of familial T1DM among siblings was calculated, and specific clinical and biochemical characteristics were investigated. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 22 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows). The control group includes all patients with type I DM who were excluded for sibling with DM.

Results:
The prevalence of familial T1DM among siblings was estimated at 15.9%. Seventy-four percent of the patients with a positive family history of diabetes mellitus had one affected sibling only. The clinical presentation showed no significant differences relative to the age of presentation, gender, parental consanguinity, diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation, and its number of episodes. For the biochemical characteristics, autoantibody tests revealed no statistically significant difference, but the mean initial HbA1c levels were lower in patients who had diabetic siblings.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of familial T1DM was found to be higher than that reported in other studies. No specific clinical or biochemical features were found to characterize familial T1DM among siblings.