bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Runoff and soil loss responses of cultivated land managed with graded soil bunds of different ages in the Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Belayneh Mengie , Yirgu Teshome , Tsegaye Dereje 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
In view of a wide range of on-site and off-site impacts of soil erosion, different soil and water conservation measures have been implemented mainly over the last two decades in the Gumara watershed and Ethiopia at large. But their effects have not been sufficiently documented, and maintenance of structures received very little attention. This study investigated the effectiveness of graded soil bunds of zero and 11 years of age in reducing runoff and soil loss. Six hydrologically isolated experimental runoff plots (three treatments × two replicates) were prepared to observe rainfall, runoff, and sediment concentrations in the 2019 summer rainfall season (covering approximately 70% of the annual rainfall).

Results
Newly constructed soil bunds reduced runoff by 34.94 and 25.56% compared to the old and non-treated counterparts, respectively. Similarly, 59.6 and 48.3% soil loss reductions were observed. The amount of soil loss in non-treated plots was twice that from the new plots and even 1.6 times higher than that from the old-graded soil bund treatments. The rate of soil loss in the new- and old-graded soil bund-treated and non-treated plots was 23.5, 45.6, and 58.1 t ha−1 year−1, respectively. However, the effectiveness of the old soil bunds was much lower (only − 12.6 and − 21.7% in runoff and soil loss, respectively) than its new equivalent. Graded soil bunds, in its new form, reduced runoff, runoff coefficient, and soil loss significantly (P < 0.05). Regardless of the treatments, from the start of the rainy season to the end, runoff and runoff coefficient showed an increase, but sediment concentration decreased. Newly constructed soil bund is the most effective in reducing runoff and soil loss.

Conclusion
Graded soil bunds reduced runoff and soil loss significantly, but the rate even in the treated plots was very high when compared to both the soil loss tolerance (1–6 t ha−1 year−1) and formation rate (10–14 t ha−1 year−1) estimated for the area. Hence, these structures need to be supported by other measures such as grass strips, agro-forestry, and percolation ditches, for better results. Besides, regular maintenance by either removing sediments from bund furrows or increasing the bund height is recommended for sustained reduction of runoff and soil loss.
Impact of early-life diet on long-term renal health
Authors: Nüsken Eva , Voggel Jenny , Fink Gregor , Dötsch Jörg , Nüsken Kai-Dietrich 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn the last years, great advances have been made in the effort to understand how nutritional influences can affect long-term renal health. Evidence has accumulated that maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy and lactation as well as early postnatal nutrition is of special significance. In this review, we summarize epidemiologic and experimental data on the renal effects of perinatal exposure to energy restriction, low-protein diet, high-fat diet, high-fructose diet, and high- and low-salt diet as well as micronutrient deficiencies. Interestingly, different modifications during early-life diet may end up with similar sequelae for the offspring. On the other hand, molecular pathways can be influenced in opposite directions by different dietary interventions during early life. Importantly, postnatal nutrition significantly modifies the phenotype induced by maternal diet. Sequelae of altered macro- or micronutrient intakes include altered nephron count, blood pressure dysregulation, altered sodium handling, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. In addition, renal prostaglandin metabolism as well as renal AMPK, mTOR, and PPAR signaling can be affected and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be dysregulated. Lately, the influence of early-life diet on gut microbiota leading to altered short chain fatty acid profiles has been discussed in the etiology of arterial hypertension. Against this background, the preventive and therapeutic potential of perinatal nutritional interventions regarding kidney disease is an emerging field of research. Especially individuals at risk (e.g., newborns from mothers who suffered from malnutrition during gestation) could disproportionately benefit from well-targeted dietary interventions.
On the determination of the atmospheric outer scale length of turbulence using GPS phase difference observations: the Seewinkel network
Authors: Kermarrec Gaël , Schön Steffen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMicrowave electromagnetic signals from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are affected by their travel through the atmosphere: the troposphere, a non-dispersive medium, has an especial impact on the measurements. The long-term variations of the tropospheric refractive index delay the signals, whereas its random variations correlate with the phase measurements. The correlation structure of residuals from GNSS relative position estimation provides a unique opportunity to study specific properties of the turbulent atmosphere. Prior to such a study, the residuals have to be filtered from unwanted additional effects, such as multipath. In this contribution, we propose to investigate the property of the atmospheric noise by using a new methodology combining the empirical mode decomposition with the Hilbert–Huang transform. The chirurgical “designalling of the noise” aims to filter both the white noise and low-frequency noise to extract only the noise coming from tropospheric turbulence. Further analysis of the power spectrum of phase difference can be performed, including the study of the cut-off frequencies and the two slopes of the power spectrum of phase differences. The obtained values can be compared with theoretical expectations. In this contribution, we use Global Positioning System (GPS) phase observations from the Seewinkel network, specially designed to study the impact of atmospheric turbulence on GPS phase observations. We show that (i) a two-slope power spectrum can be found in the residuals and (ii) that the outer scale length can be taken to a constant value, close to the physically expected one and in relation with the size of the eddies at tropospheric height.
Dynamic manipulation of unknown string by robot arm: realizing momentary string shapes
Authors: Tabata Kenta , Seki Hiroaki , Tsuji Tokuo , Hiramitsu Tatsuhiro , Hikizu Masatoshi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe propose a method to realize the dynamic manipulation of a string with unknown characteristics via a high-speed robot arm. We use a mass-spring-damper model for the string and repeat three steps: motion generation, real manipulation, and parameter estimation. Robot motion is given by the joint angular velocities expressed by the Bezier curves. Their control points are randomly positioned to generate various robot motion for dynamic string manipulation. The generated motion is performed by a wire-driven robot arm and, real string movement is captured by the camera. These time-series images are used for the parameter estimation of string. The best parameter set is determined via comparison between real and simulated string movement after changing parameter randomly and logarithmically. This parameter set is not unique, but it simulates the actual string movement well. Since the estimated string parameter is used for the robot motion generation after repeating the above 3 steps, the motion generation reflects string property and motion objective can success without special tests in advance. This is an advantage of our method because it is difficult to know all of string property with very complicated non-linearity beforehand. We focus on realizing the momentary string shape in 2 dimensions in this paper. We confirmed the effectiveness of our proposed method by realizing five momentary shapes and 3 kinds of string properties. We also discussed the reproducibility and compatibility of estimated parameters and motion generation.
A simulation study on using 252Cf for the treatment of esophagus tumor in human phantom
Authors: Rasouli Fatemeh S. , Bakhshandeh Hasan , Salehkoutahi S. Mohsen 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDue to the sensitivity of this tissue, and the potential for metastasis of its cancer as well, finding accurate methods to be employed for the treatment of esophagus tumors is of especial interest for the researchers. The present study deals with a Monte Carlo simulation of 252Cf neutron brachytherapy for treating these tumors using MCNPX (Version 2.6.0) code. The widely accepted AAPM TG-43 protocol has been used to benchmark the simulated source and to examine the accuracy of the modeling. The MIRD human phantom has been used for dose evaluation in the mentioned tumor and in the surrounding normal tissues as well. To decrease the dose delivered to the healthy tissue, using appropriate shields has been proposed. Through dosimetric calculations for several candidates, Pt-Ir 10% with a thickness of 1 cm has been selected as the optimized shield. The depth-dose results as well as the isodose curves corresponding to the presence of the shielded 252Cf neutron source in the center of the simulated tumor offer this source as an appropriate candidate to be used for the treatment of the esophagus tumors and sparing normal tissues. For a suggested clinical condition of positioning the source inside the esophagus, the damage to the first depth in spine can be avoided by managing the treatment time.
Usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery: a case report
Authors: Hozaka Yuto , Mataki Yuko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Tanoue Kiyonori , Idichi Tetsuya , Kawasaki Yota , Iino Satoshi , Nepal Pramod , Arigami Takaaki , Maemura Kosei , Noguchi Hirotsugu , Shinchi Hiroyuki , Tanimoto Akihide , Natsugoe Shoji , Ohtsuka Takao 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Mesenteric cysts have various histological forms, including mesenteric cystadenomas and borderline cystic neoplasms. Primary cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery is extremely rare; therefore, the clinical and radiological features of this tumor have not been fully elucidated.

Case presentation
A 50-year-old Japanese woman had a complaint of a left-sided abdominal distention. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a unilocular cystic lesion measuring approximately 10 cm located in the left side of the abdomen. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed mottled mild FDG uptake in the cyst wall and intense FDG uptake in several mural nodules. The cystic mass with the descending colon was completely removed. Pathological examination of the specimens revealed various histologic patterns of adenocarcinoma, including mucin production in the mural nodules. We eventually diagnosed a primary cystadenocarcinoma arising from the mesentery of the descending colon.

Conclusions
Malignancy should be suspected in mesenteric or retroperitoneal cystic tumors with high FDG uptake, and complete resection should be performed with adequate margins.
Prevalence of fermented foods in the Dutch adult diet and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for estimating their intake in the NQplus cohort
Authors: Li Katherine J. , Brouwer-Brolsma Elske M. , Burton Kathryn J. , Vergères Guy , Feskens Edith J. M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Humans have a long history of consuming fermented foods. However, their prevalence in human diets remains largely undetermined, and there is a lack of validated dietary assessment tools assessing the intake of different fermented products. This study aimed to identify fermented foods consumed in The Netherlands and determine the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) compared to multiple 24-h recalls for estimating their intake.

Methods
The validation population consisted of 809 participants (53.1 ± 11.9 years) from a Dutch observational cohort (NQplus) who completed a FFQ and multiple 24-h recalls. Fermented foods from the FFQ and recalls were identified and aggregated into conventional food groups. Percent difference in mean intakes, quintile cross-classification, Spearman’s correlations, and Bland-Altman analyses were used to evaluate the agreement between the two dietary assessment methods.

Results
Approximately 16–18% of foods consumed by this population were fermented, and a further 9–14% were dishes containing a fermented ingredient. Fermented foods with the highest consumption included coffee (~ 453 g/day;~ 0.5% of daily energy intake), yoghurts (~ 88 g/day;~ 2.2%), beer (~ 84 g/day;~ 1.7%), wholegrain bread (~ 81 g/day;~ 9.4%), wine (~ 65 g/day;~ 2.7%), and cheese (~ 32 g/day;~ 5.0%). Mean percent difference between the FFQ and recalls was small for fermented beverages (coffee), breads (brown, white, wholegrain, rye), and fermented dairy (cheeses) (0.3–2.8%), but large for buttermilk and quark (≥53%). All fermented food groups had > 50% of participants classified into the same or adjacent quintile of intake (58%-buttermilk to 89%-fermented beverages). Strong Spearman’s correlations (crude/energy-adjusted rs ≥ 0.50) were obtained for fermented beverages (coffee, beer, wine), cereals/grains (wholegrain bread), and dairy (yoghurts). For ‘other bread’, quark, and buttermilk, correlations were low (rs < 0.20). Bland-Altman analyses revealed good agreement for fermented beverages (coffee, beer), breads (brown, wholegrain, rye, other), pastries, chocolate, and fermented dairy (cheeses) (mean difference: 0.1–9.3).

Conclusions
Fermented food groups with acceptable or good validity across all measures included commonly consumed foods in The Netherlands: fermented beverages (coffee), wholegrain and rye bread, and fermented dairy (cheeses). However, for less frequently consumed foods, such as quark and buttermilk, the levels of agreement were poor and estimates of intake should be interpreted with caution. This report provides the basis for developing a FFQ specific for fermented foods.
A simple and efficient automated microvolume radiosynthesis of [18F]Florbetaben
Authors: Lisova Ksenia , Wang Jia , Chao Philip H. , van Dam R. Michael 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Current automated radiosynthesizers are generally optimized for producing large batches of PET tracers. Preclinical imaging studies, however, often require only a small portion of a regular batch, which cannot be economically produced on a conventional synthesizer. Alternative approaches are desired to produce small to moderate batches to reduce cost and the amount of reagents and radioisotope needed to produce PET tracers with high molar activity. In this work we describe the first reported microvolume method for production of [18F]Florbetaben for use in imaging of Alzheimer’s disease.

Procedures
The microscale synthesis of [18F]Florbetaben was adapted from conventional-scale synthesis methods. Aqueous [18F]fluoride was azeotropically dried with K2CO3/K222 (275/383 nmol) complex prior to radiofluorination of the Boc-protected precursor (80 nmol) in 10 μL DMSO at 130 °C for 5 min. The resulting intermediate was deprotected with HCl at 90 °C for 3 min and recovered from the chip in aqueous acetonitrile solution. The crude product was purified via analytical scale HPLC and the collected fraction reformulated via solid-phase extraction using a miniature C18 cartridge.

Results
Starting with 270 ± 100 MBq (n = 3) of [18F]Fluoride, the method affords formulated product with 49 ± 3% (decay-corrected) yield,> 98% radiochemical purity and a molar activity of 338 ± 55 GBq/μmol. The miniature C18 cartridge enables efficient elution with only 150 μL of ethanol which is diluted to a final volume of 1.0 mL, thus providing a sufficient concentration for in vivo imaging. The whole procedure can be completed in 55 min.

Conclusions
This work describes an efficient and reliable procedure to produce [18F]Florbetaben in quantities sufficient for large-scale preclinical applications. This method provides very high yields and molar activities compared to reported literature methods. This method can be applied to higher starting activities with special consideration given to automation and radiolysis prevention.
Influence of shoulder stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in children with Down syndrome: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Elserty Noha , Wagdy Eman 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundChildren with Down syndrome (DS) are characterized by hypotonia resulting in reduced grip and pinch strength. This study aimed to investigate the influence of shoulder stabilization exercises on hand grip strength in children with Down syndrome. Thirty children with DS assigned randomly into 2 groups each group consists of 15 children. Handheld Dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and different pinch grasps for both groups before and after treatment. Both groups receive the same vocational school activities and the study group receives shoulder stabilization exercises for 3 months.ResultsResults revealed significant increase in the grip strength and different pinch grasps for dominant and non-dominant hands post-treatment in both groups as the main effect of time was statistically significant. Study group showed significant improvement than the control group post-treatment as the main effect of group and time × group interaction effect was statistically significant for dominant and non-dominant hands.ConclusionShoulder stabilization exercises and regular vocational school activities have a positive effect on different grip strength in children with Down syndrome.Trial registrationPACTR201907896910981. Registered 5 July 2019. A written consent form was introduced to all participant and signed by their parents.
The prevalence of psychiatric comorbid disorders among children with specific learning disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Khodeir Mona Sameeh , El-Sady Safaa Refaat , Mohammed Huda Abd El-Razek 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background
Understanding comorbidity of psychiatric disorders with specific learning disorders (SLD) is important because the presence of any additional disorder to the learning disability may affect the severity and prognosis of the SLD symptoms and requires specific treatments and interventions.

Main body of the abstract
The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders among children with SLD between 6 and 18 years. English studies published between 2013 and 2018 were located through searches of PubMed and ScienceDirect. In this review, only 5 articles met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk of the bias assessment tool. The prevalence of ADHD and anxiety disorder was reported in 4 studies. Prevalence of conduct disorder (CD) and depression was reported by 3 studies, and 2 studies reported the prevalence of oppositional defined disorders (ODD). Although this review included a small number of studies that used a diversity of methods to diagnose psychiatric disorders, the results of the prevalence rates were homogenous.

Short conclusion
The included studies reported that ADHD had the highest prevalence rate among children with SLD followed by anxiety and depressive disorders. Both CD and ODD were the least prevalent and are linked to the existence of ADHD. Further worldwide future studies are needed to estimate the prevalence rate of such psychiatric disorders among children with SLD, taking into consideration the use of agreed assessment methods for diagnosing the psychiatric disorders and the SLD.
Relationship of TSH Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in US Youth and Reference Percentiles for Thyroid Function
Authors: Chen Xinlei , Deng Shuliang , Sena Cecilia , Zhou Chuhan , Thaker Vidhu V 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Context
Thyroid hormones play an important role in metabolic homeostasis, and higher levels have been associated with cardiometabolic risk.

Objective
To examine the association of cardiometabolic risk factors with TSH levels in US youth.

Methods
Cross-sectional study of youth aged 12 to 18 years without known thyroid abnormalities from 5 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles (n = 2818) representing 15.4 million US children. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) was defined as thyrotropin (TSH) levels of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L. Assessed cardiometabolic risk factors include abdominal obesity (waist circumference &gt;90th percentile), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride ≥130 mg/dL), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (&lt;40 mg/dL), elevated blood pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥90th percentile), hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL, or known diabetes), insulin resistance (homeostatic model for insulin resistance &gt; 3.16), and elevated alanine transferase (≥ 50 for boys and ≥44 U/L for girls). Age and sex- specific percentiles for thyroid parameters were calculated.

Results
In this cohort of youth (51.3% male), 31.2% had overweight/obesity. The prevalence of SH was 2.0% (95% CI 1.2-3.1). The median TSH levels were higher in youth with overweight/obesity (P &lt; 0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and obesity, youth with TSH in the fourth quantile had higher odds of abdominal obesity (OR 2.53 [1.43-4.46], P = .002), insulin resistance (OR 2.82 [1.42-5.57], P = .003), and ≥2 cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) (OR 2.20 [1.23-3.95], P = .009).

Conclusion
The prevalence of SH is low in US youth. The higher odds of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors in youth with TSH levels &gt;75th percentile requires further study.
Disposition of Urinary and Serum Steroid Metabolites in Response to Testosterone Administration in Healthy Women
Authors: Elings Knutsson Jona , Andersson Alexander , Baekken Lasse Vestli , Pohanka Anton , Ekström Lena , Hirschberg Angelica Lindén 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Context
Little is known about how exogenous testosterone (T) affects the steroid profile in women. More knowledge would give the antidoping community keys as to how to interpret tests and detect doping.

Objective
This work aimed to investigate the steroid profile in serum and urine in young healthy women after T administration.

Methods
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 48 healthy young women were assigned to daily treatment with T cream (10 mg) or placebo (1:1) for 10 weeks. Urine and blood were collected before and at the end of treatment. Serum steroids were analyzed with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and urine levels of T, epitestosterone (E), and metabolites included in the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) were analyzed with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results
In serum, T and dihydrotestosterone levels increased, whereas sex hormone–binding globulin and 17-hydroxyprogesterone decreased after T treatment as compared to placebo. In urine, T and 5α-androstanediol increased in the T group. The median T increase in serum was 5.0-fold (range, 1.2-18.2) and correlated to a 2.2-fold (range, 0.4-14.4) median increase in T/E in urine (rs = 0.76). Only 2 of the 24 women receiving T reached the T/E cutoff ratio of 4, whereas when the results were added to the ABP, 6 of 15 participants showed atypically high T/E (40%). In comparison, 22/24 women in the T group increased serum T more than 99.9% of the upper confidence interval of nontreated values.

Conclusion
It seems that the T/E ratio is not sufficient to detect exogenous T in women. Serum total T concentrations could serve as a complementary marker of doping.