bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine responses to various larval stages of equine strongyles and modulatory effects of the adjuvant G3 in vitro
Authors: Hellman Stina , Tydén Eva , Hjertner Bernt , Nilsfors Frida , Hu Kefei , Morein Bror , Fossum Caroline 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsTo generate different larval stages of Strongylus vulgaris and to study cytokine responses in cultures of eqPBMC exposed to defined larval stages of S. vulgaris and cyathostomins with the aim to understand the early immune reaction to these parasites.Methods and resultsEqPBMC were exposed to S. vulgaris larvae (L3, exsheated L3 and L4) and cyathostomin L3 and analysed for cytokine gene expression. Procedures for decontamination, culturing and attenuation of larvae were established. Transcription of IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 was induced by both S. vulgaris and cyathostomin L3. Moulting of S. vulgaris from L3 to L4 stage was accompanied by a shift to high expression of IL‐5 and IL‐9 (exsheated L3 and L4) and IFN‐γ (L4 only). In parallel, the adjuvant G3 modified the cytokine profile induced by both parasites by reducing the expression of IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐10 while concomitantly enhancing the expression of IFN‐γ.ConclusionThe L4 stage of S. vulgaris generated a cytokine profile different from that induced by the earlier L3 stage of S. vulgaris and cyathostomins. This diversity depending on the life cycle stage will have implications for the choice of antigen and adjuvant in future vaccine design.
Natural resources, technological progress, and economic modernization
Authors: Sadik‐Zada Elkhan Richard 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe present inquiry focuses on the modernization perspectives of the commodity‐exporting countries through the lens of development economics. To this end, the study adopts the Kaldorian framework to address the modernization effects, epitomized in the absorption of surplus labor. To trace the process of economic modernization, the study augments Lewis’s dualistic economy model by the extractive sector. Three different scenarios for the management of resource revenues are scrutinized. An altruistic mode, which implies a pure redistribution of the revenues among the poor swaths of the population, protracts the process of economic modernization, requires a greater amount of capital stock, and harbors a greater risk of a poverty trap. This effect is less pronounced if the modern sector is more capital‐intensive. A productive mode, which elicits full reinvestment of the commodity revenues, in contrast, accelerates the pace of economic modernization. Further, predicated on the scrutiny of a more realistic scenario, a bargaining mode, the study derives the condition for a net positive (or negative) modernization effect. The study identifies technical progress alongside capital accumulation as a further important source of economic modernization.
When Money Matters More: Long‐Term Illness and the Income/Life Satisfaction Slope
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Pisani Fabio 
Published: September 2020

We compare the life satisfaction of individuals aged above 50 years reporting or not reporting long‐term illnesses. Our econometric findings show that the positive income/life satisfaction gradient is steeper for individuals with at least one long‐term illness, especially those lacking private insurance or reporting above mean unmet medical needs. We also use the compensating variation approach and show that the marginal utility of income (net of the absolute and relative income effects) for the long‐term ill is significantly larger than the average marginal utility of income in the sample.
Infield optimized route planning in harvesting operations for risk of soil compaction reduction
Authors: Villa‐Henriksen Andrés , Skou‐Nielsen Nick , Munkholm Lars Juhl , Sørensen Claus A. G. , Green Ole , Edwards Gareth T. C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSoil compaction is a major problem in arable farming mainly caused by the intensive traffic of heavy machinery. It affects negatively soil and crop development. Even though the first wheeling is considered the most damaging, repeated traffic deteriorates further the soil and subsoil even up to irreversible conditions. Intelligent infield traffic planning in the form of optimized route planning is one key option to mitigate soil compaction. Currently, no comprehensive evaluation of the benefits of such methods exists. In this paper, a harvest logistics optimization system was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of optimized route planning in reducing traffic by generating simulated operational data and comparing it to a set of six recorded fields ranging in size (2–21 ha) and shape. For the evaluation, simulated and recorded data for each 12 × 12 m grid cell within the fields were compared by analysing three variables, that is, traffic occurrences, accumulated traffic load and maximum traffic load per grid cell. The results showed a reduction of the total number of traffic occurrences with a field size weighted mean of relative differences of 9.8%. A reduction of 5.6% for the accumulated traffic load, and an increase of 4.0% for the maximum traffic load. Repeated traffic was reduced in four of the six fields. Even though optimized route planning is not directly intended for traffic reduction, it can notably contribute to such mitigation efforts and adds an extra element to the overall farm strategy for soil compaction mitigation.
Identification of Seepage Mechanisms for Natural Gas Huff-n-Puff and Flooding Processes in Hydrophilic Reservoirs With Low and Ultra-Low Permeabilities
Authors: Zheng Taiyi , Liu Xiangui , Yang Zhengming , Luo Yutian , Zhang Yapu , Xiao Qianhua , He Ying , Zhao Xinli 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Hydrocarbon gas flooding/Huff-n-Puff (HNP) can improve the oil recovery in the unconventional reservoirs. Here, the mechanisms accounting for fluid flow in the low-permeability and ultra-low permeability reservoirs were experimentally and theoretically investigated. Core plugs collected from a typical China oilfield were utilized for the experiments. Additionally, methane was used as the injection agent to conduct natural gas HNP/displacement experiments. The results indicated that the use of natural gas as an energy supplement agent and the HNP development method can effectively improve the recovery efficiency of the aforementioned two types of reservoirs. During the HNP process, the oil recovery is effectively enhanced mainly in the first round and second round. Meanwhile, during gas injection and HNP, natural gas can evidently weaken the extraction and reduce the precipitation of heavy components. However, the natural gas injection can establish an effective driving pressure system in low-permeability core plugs, and the interaction between natural gas and oil can change the mobility ratio. Furthermore, it aids in avoiding viscous fingering and premature breakthroughs. Moreover, the oil can be sandwiched between the interface of the gas and water phases to form a slip channel in a hydrophilic core sample, which can quickly produce oil. Finally, a numerical model was developed by considering the reservoir parameters of Changqing Oilfield, China. The oil recovery after eight rounds of CH4 HNP was 80% higher than that achieved via depletion development. Additionally, the oil recovery curves are especially similar in the previous three HNP rounds. These curves show obvious differences from the fourth round onwards, which indicates that the asphaltene deposition and CH4 diffusion slightly affect the oil recovery factor during the initial production period.
A Comparison of Gasoline, Liquid Petroleum Gas, and Hydrogen Utilization in an Spark Ignition Engine in Terms of Environmental and Economic Indicators
Authors: Şöhret Yasin , Gürbüz Habib 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Research on alternative fuel development gains importance day by day with respect to environmental concerns and issues. Alternative fuel research can yield a revolution for spark ignition (SI) engines due to their being one of the widely used energy systems worldwide. However, most studies miss the environmental impact and economy of alternative fuels, while focusing on performance and emissions characteristics of different alternative fuels. The present paper aims to introduce a novel perspective to evaluate fuels environmentally and economically. For this purpose, exhaust emissions from an SI engine fueled with gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and hydrogen are evaluated at a constant engine speed of 1500 rpm and the same equivalence ratio of 1.0, using the emissions index, power emissions index, energy emissions index, environmental impact, environmental cost, and environmental and social impact cost. At the end of the study, hydrogen is found to be less harmful than other fuels based on its environmental and social impact cost. On the other hand, hydrogen has the highest environmental cost at each ignition timing compared to both LPG and gasoline, whereas gasoline has the best performance from the viewpoint of environmental costs. The current paper is expected to be beneficial in evaluating or comparing different fuels in different engine types to those interested in energy, thermal studies, and environmental sciences.
Dynamic Response of a Conceptual Designed Articulated Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Zhang Pei , Li Yan , Gu Jiayang , Yin Tianchang , Hu Zhiqiang , Tang Yougang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Focusing on the 75 m depth offshore area, an articulated foundation is proposed for supporting National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5 MW offshore wind turbine (OWT). Through the overall sensitivity check on hydrostatic performance, the main parameters are set to meet the requirements of stability and economy. An in-house code was programmed to simulate the dynamic response of the articulated offshore wind turbine (AOWT). The aerodynamic load on rotating blades and the wind pressure load on tower are calculated based on the blade element momentum theory and the empirical formula, respectively. The hydrodynamic load is simulated by the three-dimensional potential flow theory. The motions of foundation, the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine, and the loads on the articulated joint are documented in different cases. According to the simulations, the articulated offshore wind turbine shows feasibility to work in the particular area.
Physical Activity Patterns in Children and Adolescents With Heart Disease
Authors: White David A. , Willis Erik A. , Panchangam Chaitanya , Teson Kelli M. , Watson Jessica S. , Birnbaum Brian F. , Shirali Girish , Parthiban Anitha 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: To quantify the differences in daily physical activity (PA) patterns, intensity-specific volumes, and PA bouts in youth with and without heart disease (HD). Methods: Seven-day PA was measured on children/adolescents with HD (n = 34; median age 12.4 y; 61.8% male; 70.6% single ventricle, 17.7% heart failure, and 11.8% pulmonary hypertension) and controls without HD (n = 22; median age 12.3 y; 59.1% male). Mean counts per minute were classified as sedentary, light, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), and bouts of MVPA were calculated. PA was calculated separately for each hour of wear time from 8:00 to 22:00. Multilevel linear mixed modeling compared the outcomes, stratifying by group, time of day, and day part (presented as median percentage of valid wear time [interquartile range]). Results: Compared with the controls, the HD group had more light PA (33.9% [15%] vs 29.6% [9.5%]), less MVPA (1.7% [2.5%] vs 3.2% [3.3%]), and more sporadic bouts (97.4% [5.7%] vs 89.9% [9.2%]), but fewer short (2.0% [3.9%] vs 7.1% [5.7%]) and medium-to-long bouts (0.0% [1.9%] vs 1.6% [4.6%]) of MVPA. The HD group was less active in the late afternoon, between 15:00 and 17:00 (P < .03). There were no differences between groups in sedentary time. Conclusion: Children/adolescents with HD exhibit differences in intensity-specific volumes, PA bouts, and daily PA patterns compared with controls.
Choroidal thickness predicts progression of myopic maculopathy in high myopes: a 2-year longitudinal study
Authors: Li Zhixi , Wang Wei , Liu Ran , Wang Decai , Zhang Jian , Xiao Ou , Guo Xinxing , Jong Monica , Sankaridurg Padmaja , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko , He Mingguang 
Published: September 2020

AimTo prospectively determine the impact of choroidal thickness (CT) on the myopic maculopathy progression.MethodsThis is a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. In total, 434 participants aged 7–70 years with bilateral high myopia (≤-6 D spherical error, range, −6 to −27.0 D) completed follow-up visits for 2 years. The baseline CT centred on the fovea was measured using a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT). Myopic maculopathy progression was determined by fundus photography. Logistic model was used to examine the impact of CT at baseline on the myopic maculopathy progression. Likelihood ratio test was adopted for model comparison.ResultsThe mean baseline age, spherical equivalence and subfoveal CT (SFCT) of the participants were 23.2±12.5 years, −10.50±3.18 D and 153.20±72.76 μm, respectively. Over 2-year’s follow-up, 74 of 434 eyes (17.1%) had myopic maculopathy progression. Baseline SFCT was thinner in eyes with myopic maculopathy progression than those without (67.26±37.67 μm vs 170.95±65.45 μm; mean difference, 99.31 μm; 95% CI 83.61 to 115.01 μm; p<0.001). The same patterns of differences were observed in 7–18 years, 19–39 years and 40–70 years. In multivariate logistic regression model, SFCT was a significant risk factor (adjusted OR=0.97, p<0.005) when age, gender, axial length and baseline myopic maculopathy category were adjusted for. The addition of SFCT significantly improved the predictive discrimination of myopic maculopathy progression in comparison with that included established risk factors alone (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.899 vs 0.942, p<0.001).ConclusionCT is an independent predictor for myopic maculopathy progression.
Successful return to professional men’s football (soccer) competition after the COVID-19 shutdown: a cohort study in the German Bundesliga
Authors: Meyer Tim , Mack Dietrich , Donde Katrin , Harzer Oliver , Krutsch Werner , Rössler Annika , Kimpel Janine , von Laer Dorothee , Gärtner Barbara C 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesTo evaluate the restart of the German Bundesliga (football (soccer)) during the COVID-19 pandemic from a medical perspective.MethodsParticipants were male professional football players from the two highest German leagues and the officials working closely with them. Our report covers nine match days spread over 9 weeks (May to July 2020). Daily symptom monitoring, PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA twice weekly, and antibody tests (on two occasions—early during the phase in May 2020 and in the week of the last match) were conducted. Target variables were: (1) onset of typical COVID-19 symptoms, (2) positive PCR results, and (3) IgG seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2. All detected seroconversions were controlled by neutralisation tests.FindingsSuspicious symptoms were reported for one player; an immediate additional PCR test as well as all subsequent diagnostic and antibody tests proved negative for coronavirus. Of 1702 regularly tested individuals (1079 players, 623 officials members), 8 players and 4 officials tested positive during one of the first rounds of PCR testing prior to the onset of team training, 2 players during the third round. No further positive results occurred during the remainder of the season. 694 players and 291 officials provided two serum samples for antibody testing. Nine players converted from negative/borderline to positive (without symptoms); two players who initially tested positive tested negative at the end of the season. 22 players remained seropositive throughout the season. None of the seroconversions was confirmed in the neutralisation test.ConclusionProfessional football training and matches can be carried out safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires strict hygiene measures including regular PCR testing.
Central fatness and risk of all cause mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 72 prospective cohort studies
Authors: Jayedi Ahmad , Soltani Sepideh , Zargar Mahdieh Sadat , Khan Tauseef Ahmad , Shab-Bidar Sakineh 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify the association of indices of central obesity, including waist circumference, hip circumference, thigh circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, body adiposity index, and A body shape index, with the risk of all cause mortality in the general population, and to clarify the shape of the dose-response relations.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesPubMed and Scopus from inception to July 2019, and the reference lists of all related articles and reviews.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesProspective cohort studies reporting the risk estimates of all cause mortality across at least three categories of indices of central fatness. Studies that reported continuous estimation of the associations were also included.Data synthesisA random effects dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to assess linear trend estimations. A one stage linear mixed effects meta-analysis was used for estimating dose-response curves.ResultsOf 98 745 studies screened, 1950 full texts were fully reviewed for eligibility. The final analyses consisted of 72 prospective cohort studies with 2 528 297 participants. The summary hazard ratios were as follows: waist circumference (10 cm, 3.94 inch increase): 1.11 (95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.13, I2=88%, n=50); hip circumference (10 cm, 3.94 inch increase): 0.90 (0.81 to 0.99, I2=95%, n=9); thigh circumference (5 cm, 1.97 inch increase): 0.82 (0.75 to 0.89, I2=54%, n=3); waist-to-hip ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.20 (1.15 to 1.25, I2=90%, n=31); waist-to-height ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.24 (1.12 to 1.36, I2=94%, n=11); waist-to-thigh ratio (0.1 unit increase): 1.21 (1.03 to 1.39, I2=97%, n=2); body adiposity index (10% increase): 1.17 (1.00 to 1.33, I2=75%, n=4); and A body shape index (0.005 unit increase): 1.15 (1.10 to 1.20, I2=87%, n=9). Positive associations persisted after accounting for body mass index. A nearly J shaped association was found between waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio and the risk of all cause mortality in men and women. A positive monotonic association was observed for waist-to-hip ratio and A body shape index. The association was U shaped for body adiposity index.ConclusionsIndices of central fatness including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, body adiposity index, and A body shape index, independent of overall adiposity, were positively and significantly associated with a higher all cause mortality risk. Larger hip circumference and thigh circumference were associated with a lower risk. The results suggest that measures of central adiposity could be used with body mass index as a supplementary approach to determine the risk of premature death.
Cognitive impairment in a primary healthcare population: a cross-sectional study on the island of Crete, Greece
Authors: Bertsias Antonios Konstantinos , Tsiligianni Ioanna , Papadakis Sophia , Zaganas Ioannis , Duijker George , Symvoulakis Emmanouil K , Papadokostakis Polyvios , Makri Kornilia , Iatraki Eliza , Tziraki Chariklia , Basta Maria , Panagiotakis Simeon , Boumpas Dimitrios , Moschandreas Joanna , Simos Panagiotis , Vgontzas Alexandros , Lionis Christos 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesCognitive impairment is known to have a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals and their caregivers, yet it is often underdiagnosed. The objective of this study is to assess the extent of cognitive impairment among elders visiting primary healthcare (PHC) practice settings, to explore associated risk factors and discuss current care challenges for PHC providers.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2013 and May 2014.SettingFourteen PHC units located in rural and urban areas of the Heraklion district in Crete, Greece.ParticipantsConsecutive visitors aged at least 60 years attending selected PHC practices.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to indicate cognitive status. Associations of low MMSE scores (≤23/24, adjusted for education level) with 12 socio-demographic factors, comorbidities and lifestyle factors were assessed.ResultsA total of 3140 PHC patients met inclusion criteria (43.2% male; mean age 73.7±7.8 years). The average MMSE score was 26.0±3.8; 26.7±3.5 in male and 25.4±3.9 in female participants (p<0.0001). Low MMSE scores were detected in 20.2% of participants; 25.9% for females vs 12.8% for males; p<0.0001. Female gender (adjusted OR (AOR)=2.72; 95% CI 2.31 to 3.47), age (AOR=1.11; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.13), having received only primary or no formal education (AOR=2.87; 95% CI 2.26 to 3.65), alcohol intake (AOR=1.19; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.37), reporting one or more sleep complaints (AOR 1.63; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.32), dyslipidaemia (AOR=0.80; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.98) and history of depression (AOR=1.90; 95% CI 1.43 to 2.52) were associated with low MMSE scores.ConclusionsThis study identified a relatively high prevalence of low MMSE scores among persons attending PHC practices in a southern European community setting and associations with several known risk factors.
Associations between vision, hearing and tooth loss and social interactions: the JAGES cross-sectional study
Authors: Igarashi Ayaka , Aida Jun , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Hiratsuka Yoshimune , Kondo Katsunori , Osaka Ken 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundDifficulties in communication due to vision, hearing and tooth loss have a serious impact on health. We compared the association between and attribution of each of these factors on social interaction.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined data from the 2016 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (n=22 295) on community-dwelling people aged ≥65 years in Japan. The dependent variable was the frequency of meeting friends as a measure of social interaction, and less-than-monthly was defined as fewer social interactions. The independent variables were self-reported degrees of vision, hearing (5-point Likert scale) and tooth loss (five categories), with ‘poor’ or ‘0 teeth’ defined as the worst category. Sex, age, educational attainment, comorbidity and residential area were used as covariates. Poisson regression analysis with multiple imputations was used to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) of fewer social interactions by each status. Subsequently, the population attributable fraction (PAF) was calculated to assess the public health impact.ResultsThe number of participants with fewer social interactions was 5622 (26.9%). Proportions of fewer social interactions among those with the worst vision, hearing and number of teeth categories were 48.7%, 40.1% and 32.0%, respectively. Their corresponding PRs of fewer social interactions were 1.72 (95% CI 0.97 to 3.05), 1.35 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.85) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.37), respectively. The total PAF for vision, hearing and number of teeth was 8.3%, 5.0% and 6.4%, respectively.ConclusionSelf-reported vision, hearing and tooth loss were associated with fewer social interactions. The magnitude of these impairments was largest in vision, followed by tooth and hearing loss.