bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bush Nippers: Evaluating the effectiveness of the Nipper education program in regional inland Victoria, Australia
Authors: Calverley Hannah L. M. , Birch Rhiannon , Strugnell Grace , Santiago Allana C. , Baker Shayne , Matthews Bernadette L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIssue addressedInternationally, inland waterways are identified as leading locations for drowning. ‘Nippers’ programs provide coastal lifesaving and water safety knowledge and skills to children aged 5‐14 years in Australia. However, a 49% increase in Victorian inland waterway drowning compared with the 10‐year average, necessitated adapting the Nippers water safety program to inland regions: Bush Nippers.MethodsOverall, 105 participants from two age groups (under 9 and under 12) were involved across three Bush Nippers programs delivered at river and/or pool locations in regional Victoria, Australia. Surveys and observations assessed participants’ water safety knowledge and competencies, and used alongside interviews to obtain program feedback from parents, instructors and communities. Costs were compared to other aquatic programs to determine feasibility of replicating the program.ResultsSignificant increases in knowledge from pre to immediate posttest were recorded (P < .05) and water competencies were high posttest. Communities were grateful for the regional program delivery and understood the necessity of learning lifesaving skills, particularly in open water environments. Costs were akin to other similar programs indicating program replicability and enhancing likelihood of uptake.ConclusionsBush Nippers increased water safety knowledge in children and was well received by the community. Wider uptake of the program is encouraged to diversify aquatic education for regional Victorian children.So what?Given the high regard and demand for the program, and importance of learning lifesaving skills, provision of a scalable lifesaving program in inland regions may address the drowning trend and improve aquatic participation.
Improved performance of the SH test as an in vitro skin sensitization test with a new predictive model and decision tree
Authors: Imai Noriyasu , Takeyoshi Midori , Aizawa Sakiko , Tsurumaki Mika , Kurosawa Masaharu , Toyoda Akemi , Sugiyama Maki , Kasahara Kaoru , Ogata Shinichi , Omori Takashi , Hirota Morihiko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDemands for the elimination and replacement of animal experiments for cosmetic safety assessment have increased in recent years. Evaluation of skin sensitization, however, is a critical issue in cosmetic safety assessment. The SH test is an in vitro skin sensitization test method that evaluates protein binding of chemical substances, which is an important event in skin sensitization. We previously verified the technical transferability and between‐laboratory reproducibility of the SH test, a domestic test method for which no scientific research has been conducted, and improved the protocol, but also noted some unresolved issues. Therefore, in the present study, we successfully improved the operational efficiency and clarity of the final judgment of the SH test by (i) developing a new decision‐making system that can make a final judgment without statistical processing, (ii) changing the statistical method, and (iii) evaluating and determining the maximum number of repetitions necessary for optimal efficiency. The improved SH test was verified by comparing it with existing test methods already adopted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The results of this study demonstrated excellent performance of the improved SH test, with high reproducibility, reliable predictability, and good operational efficiency. The predictive performance of the improved method does not differ significantly from that of the conventional method, although it is clearer and more efficient. Therefore, the results of the present improved method are consistent with those obtained using the conventional method, with higher efficiency.
Bone marrow microenvironment drives AML cell OXPHOS addiction and AMPK inhibition to resist chemotherapy
Authors: You Ruolan , Hou Diyu , Wang Bin , Liu Jingru , Wang Xiaoting , Xiao Qirong , Pan Zhipeng , Li Dongliang , Feng Xiaoming , Kang Lixia , Chen Ping , Huang Huifang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe stromal niche plays a pivotal role in AML chemoresistance and energy metabolism reprogramming is a hallmark of a tumor. 5′-Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important energy sensor suppressing mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity. However, the role of AMPK-mTORC1 pathway on connecting AML cell energy metabolism reprogramming and chemoresistance induced by the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is not defined. Here, with a co-culture system that simulates the interaction between BMM and AML cells, it is shown that stromal contact led to a decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy accompanied by an increase of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity and mitochondrial ATP synthesis in AML cells. The increased OXPHOS activity and excessive ATP production promoted chemoresistance of AML cells through inhibiting AMPK activity and in turn activating mTORC1 activity. In an in vivo AML mouse model, depletion of AMPK activity with genetic targeting promoted AML progression and reduced their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Collectively, AML cells’ acquired increased OXPHOS activity as well as AMPK inhibition could be therapeutically exploited in an effort to overcome BMM-mediated chemoresistance.
The effect of meteorological drought on vegetation cover in the Yellow River basin, China
Authors: Jia Lu , Yu Kun‐xia , Li Zhan‐bin , Li Peng , Xu Guo‐ce , Cheng Yu‐ting , Zhang Xiang , Yang Zhi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAs a widespread natural disaster, drought has a significant impact on changes in regional vegetation cover. Based on 1‐month standardized precipitation index (SPI1), this study took the Yellow River basin (YRB) with frequent droughts as the research object, using NDVI data from 1999 to 2018, Mann–Kendall trend test, and correlation test to study the temporal and spatial characteristics of meteorological drought, explored the response of vegetation cover to meteorological drought, and further discussed the possible factors affecting meteorological drought. The results of the study showed that from 1999 to 2018, the SPI1 in the YRB had not increased significantly in a large area in different months (p > .05). On the monthly time scale, the NDVI of the YRB gradually increased from north to south, showing a significant increasing trend the central area (p < .05). And in the summer months, there was a significant positive correlation between SPI1 and NDVI in some areas (p < .05). In the meantime, sunspots, ENSO, and PDO had significant effects on the SPI1 in the YRB (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in areas with frequent extreme droughts, the average value of NDVI was high, which was mainly because the area was in a cultivated vegetation area with a wide‐scale policy of returning farmland to forest and afforestation activities. Returning farmland to forests and afforestation activities will help overcome the impact of meteorological drought and other adverse conditions on vegetation. Therefore, returning farmland to forests can be implemented for ecological restoration in arid areas in the YRB.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Zhang Xiumei , Chen Lei , Zhang Hong , Nong Lin , Wang Fumin 
Published: December 2021

ObjectivesTo identify the ultrasonographic characteristics of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCT), and to assess the value of the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline and 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS) in the evaluation of this disease.MethodsEight patients with 9 PSCCTs over a 20‐year study period were enrolled. Ultrasonic characteristics including nodule echogenicity, composition, shape, margin, calcification, size, vascularity, and cervical lymphadenopathy were reviewed. All nodules were then evaluated by 2017 ACR TI‐RADS and 2015 ATA guidelines.ResultsThe average size of PSCCTs was 3.87 ± 1.41 cm. All PSCCTs were hypoechoic or very hypoechoic, solid nodules with intranodular vascularity. The average resistive index (RI) was 0.84 ± 0.18. Near half of PSCCTs (44.4%) demonstrated extrathyroidal extension. Taller‐than‐wide signs and cervical lymphadenopathy were observed in 33.3% of PSCCTs, and microcalcification was observed in 11.1% of them. All PSCCTs were classified as high suspicion patterns by 2015 ATA and recommended for fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). Six PSCCTs (66.7%) were classified as grade 5 by 2017 ACR TI‐RADS, while the remaining were grade 4. 88.9% of PSCCTs were recommended for FNA based on 2017 ACR TI‐RADS.ConclusionPSCCT has certain ultrasonic features, including relatively large, hypoechoic, or very hypoechoic solid nodules with intranodular vascularity and extrathyroidal extension. Both 2015 ATA and 2017 ACR TI‐RADS could identify PSCCT as suspicious for malignancy.
Posterior Globe Depth for Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measurement in Ocular Ultrasound in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Petrou Stephen , Raio Christopher , Klein Lauren , Felicetta Michael 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPoint‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) is a readily available imaging modality in many emergency departments and health care facilities globally. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement via ocular ultrasound has been shown to accurately predict increased intracranial pressure. Classically, the preferred technique for sonographic measurement of ONSD has specified measurement at an optimal position of 3 mm posterior to the globe. This study aims to validate an alternative approach of depth measurement (between 3 and 8 mm), with the hypothesis that ONSD should not change in size as the distance posterior to the globe increases.MethodsHealthy volunteers aged > 18 years were studied. A point 3 mm posterior to the optic disc was located. This was repeated at a point 5 mm as well as 8 mm posterior to the globe.ResultsWe enrolled 10 healthy participants. When evaluating variability in ONSD measurements at each of the three distances, we found that the difference in the measurements at each distance was statistically significant. In investigating pairwise comparisons, there was no difference between 3 and 5 mm, but there were differences in ONSD measurements at 3 and 8 mm, as well as at 5 and 8 mm.ConclusionPOCUS is readily available in many emergency departments and health care facilities across the world. The classically preferred technique for sonographic measurement of ONSD has specified measurement at an optimal position of 3 mm posterior to the globe. Our results identified that ONSD can be measured between 3 and 5 mm with no significant changes.
Physicochemical and nutritional properties of starches from nine Canadian‐grown peas compared with six commercial starches
Authors: Lu Zhan‐Hui , Lu Yiting , Donner Elizabeth , Liu Qiang , Bing Dengjin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe physicochemical properties and nutritional fractions of the starches isolated from nine Canadian‐grown peas, including marrowfat, green, and yellow pea types, were studied and compared with six commercial starches, to explore the unique properties of these pea starches. These nine pea starches were found to have high apparent amylose content (marrowfat peas, 51.3%–51.6%; yellow peas, 50.6%–53.8%; and green peas, 49.9%–54.2%) and a higher tendency than most commercial starches to retrograde. Although their physicochemical properties were not drastically different, a green pea variety, Limerick, stood out for its significantly high apparent amylose content (54.2%) and also the highest resistant starch (RS) content after cooking (29.5%), the latter even comparable with a commercial high amylose corn starch (29.8%). Principal component analysis indicated that amylose content, amylose leaching, and Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) parameters at the cooling stage are significantly positively correlated to the starch nutritional fractions of cooked samples. Cluster analysis showed a clear pattern that the RS content in cooked starches increased with the increasing amylose content in these starch samples. In general, these pea starches were rich in slowly digestible starch and high in RS after cooking (>16%). This study highlighted the unique properties of these pea starches, including their high amylose content, and ease of gelatinization yet strong tendency toward retrogradation, which resulted in superior final pasting viscosity and high RS content; thus, these pea starches could be the best alternative to commercial high amylose starches, to address the latter's deficiencies in pasting properties when applying in gel‐based low glycemic index (GI) foods.
Dystonia Due to GM3 Synthase Deficiency
Authors: Wang Alexander S. , Kilbane Camilla 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundGangliosides are expressed in neuronal membranes, and play roles in neuronal differentiation and cell regulation during brain development. The ST3GAL5 gene encodes the enzyme GM3 synthase, and its deficiency causes a rare condition described to cause refractory epilepsy, profound intellectual disability, quadriplegia, choreoathetosis, and pigmentary skin changes. GM3 synthase deficiency is rarely reported to cause dystonia. We report five cases of GM3 synthase deficiency involving a dystonic phenotype.CasesThe five reported individuals were born of unaffected consanguineous parents from Old Order Amish families. They all developed refractory epilepsy and developmental regression within the first few months of life. They exhibit variable degrees of extrapyramidal movements, including orofacial, cervical, and limb dystonia, as well as choreoathetosis.ConclusionsWe report five individuals with GM3 synthase deficiency who developed dystonic features. Dystonia has previously been reported in only one case of GM3 synthase deficiency.
The influence of chain‐end functionalization and stereocomplexation on the degradation stability under alkaline condition
Authors: Asano Shin , Choi Jaeyeong , Tran Thi Hang , Chanthaset Nalinthip , Ajiro Hiroharu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHydrolytic degradation of polylactides (PLAs) bearing cinnamic acid derivatives was conducted and their thermal degradation temperature at 10% weight loss (T10) and melting point temperature (Tm) were measured, to confirm that a PLA stereocomplex could be modified for use in a wide range of application. The improved T10 values of PLA films by chain end modification were maintained after the alkaline degradation. The increase in Tm by stereocomplex formation was also maintained after degradation with a slight change in the melting point of the attached homopolymer. The present results indicate the suitability of chain end modification for the additional functionality of PLA stereocomplex films.
Institutional quality and poverty reduction in BRICS
Authors: Singh Bhanu Pratap 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe present study aims to explore the relationship between governance conditions and absolute poverty reduction in BRICS countries from 1997 to 2011. The study employs Kao's cointegration followed by Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and Dumitrescu–Hurlin causality tests. The investigation is based on six institutional measures of governance conditions (government effectiveness, political stability and absence of violence, control of corruption, voice and accountability, regulatory quality, and rule of law) that explain how the poverty rate could be speeded up by deep‐rooted poor institutional quality. The study's major finding shows that rule of law is the significant governance condition that directly helps in poverty reduction in BRICS countries. Other governance conditions affect poverty rates via income and distribution effects. This supports the assertion that strict compliance to the rule of law is the significant governance condition for poverty reduction. Whereas, in the short‐run only economic growth significantly contribute to absolute poverty reduction. Therefore, BRICS countries should focus on growth‐enhancing sectors and strict compliance with the rule of law to achieve lower poverty rates.
Stimuli‐Mediated Specific Isolation of Exosomes from Blood Plasma for High‐Throughput Profiling of Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Liu Xuehui , Zong Zhiyou , Liu Xinzhuo , Li Qiang , Li Ang , Xu Chen , Liu Dingbin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractExosomes, ranging from 30–150 nm in diameter, have emerged as promising non‐invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of numerous diseases. However, current research on exosomes is largely restricted by the lack of an efficient method to isolate exosomes from real samples. Herein, the first stimuli‐mediated enrichment and purification system to selectively and efficiently extract exosomes from clinical plasma for high‐throughput profiling of exosomal mRNAs as cancer biomarkers is presented. This novel isolation system relies on specific installation of the stimuli‐responsive copolymers onto exosomal phospholipid bilayers, by which the enrichment and purification are exclusively achieved for exosomes rather than the non‐vesicle counterparts co‐existing in real samples. The stimuli‐mediated isolation system outperforms conventional methods such as ultracentrifugation and polyethylene glycol‐based precipitation in terms of isolation yield, purity, and retained bioactivity. The high performance of the isolation system is demonstrated by enriching exosomes from 77 blood plasma samples and validated the clinical potentials in profiling exosomal mRNAs for cancer diagnosis and discrimination with high accuracy. This simple isolation system can boost the development of extracellular vesicle research, not limited to exosomes, in both basic and clinical settings.
Saint-Venant torsion of orthotropic piezoelectric elliptical bar
Authors: Ecsedi István , Baksa Attila 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe object of this paper is the Saint-Venant torsion of a solid elliptical cylinder made of orthotropic homogeneous piezoelectric material. We find the shape of the homogeneous orthotropic piezoelectric elliptical cross section which does not warp under the applied torque. The sizes of the orthotropic piezoelectric solid elliptical cross section, which has the maximum value of torsional rigidity for a given cross-sectional area, are also determined.
Incremental execution of temporal graph queries over runtime models with history and its applications
Authors: Sakizloglou Lucas , Ghahremani Sona , Barkowsky Matthias , Giese Holger 
Published: December 2021

AbstractModern software systems are intricate and operate in highly dynamic environments for which few assumptions can be made at design-time. This setting has sparked an interest in solutions that use a runtime model which reflects the system state and operational context to monitor and adapt the system in reaction to changes during its runtime. Few solutions focus on the evolution of the model over time, i.e., its history, although history is required for monitoring temporal behaviors and may enable more informed decision-making. One reason is that handling the history of a runtime model poses an important technical challenge, as it requires tracing a part of the model over multiple model snapshots in a timely manner. Additionally, the runtime setting calls for memory-efficient measures to store and check these snapshots. Following the common practice of representing a runtime model as a typed attributed graph, we introduce a language which supports the formulation of temporal graph queries, i.e., queries on the ordering and timing in which structural changes in the history of a runtime model occurred. We present a querying scheme for the execution of temporal graph queries over history-aware runtime models. Features such as temporal logic operators in queries, the incremental execution, the option to discard history that is no longer relevant to queries, and the in-memory storage of the model, distinguish our scheme from relevant solutions. By incorporating temporal operators, temporal graph queries can be used for runtime monitoring of temporal logic formulas. Building on this capability, we present an implementation of the scheme that is evaluated for runtime querying, monitoring, and adaptation scenarios from two application domains.
Vector Optimization w.r.t. Relatively Solid Convex Cones in Real Linear Spaces
Authors: Günther Christian , Khazayel Bahareh , Tammer Christiane 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn vector optimization, it is of increasing interest to study problems where the image space (a real linear space) is preordered by a not necessarily solid (and not necessarily pointed) convex cone. It is well-known that there are many examples where the ordering cone of the image space has an empty (topological/algebraic) interior, for instance in optimal control, approximation theory, duality theory. Our aim is to consider Pareto-type solution concepts for such vector optimization problems based on the intrinsic core notion (a well-known generalized interiority notion). We propose a new Henig-type proper efficiency concept based on generalized dilating cones which are relatively solid (i.e., their intrinsic cores are nonempty). Using linear functionals from the dual cone of the ordering cone, we are able to characterize the sets of (weakly, properly) efficient solutions under certain generalized convexity assumptions. Toward this end, we employ separation theorems that are working in the considered setting.
The Glowing Screen Before Me and the Moral Law Within me: A Kantian Duty Against Screen Overexposure
Authors: Lo Re Stefano 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper establishes a Kantian duty against screen overexposure. After defining screen exposure, I adopt a Kantian approach to its morality on the ground that Kant’s notion of duties to oneself easily captures wrongdoing in absence of harm or wrong to others. Then, I draw specifically on Kant’s ‘duties to oneself as an animal being’ to introduce a duty of self-government. This duty is based on the negative causal impact of the activities it regulates on a human being’s mental and physical powers, and, ultimately, on the moral employment of these powers. After doing so, I argue that the duty against screen overexposure is an instance of the duty of self-government. Finally, I consider some objections.
Maturational effect on physical capacities and anabolic hormones in under-16 elite footballers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Eskandarifard Ebrahim , Silva Rui , Nobari Hadi , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Pérez-Gómez Jorge , Figueiredo António José 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of this study were to describe the fitness and hormonal levels according to playing time (PT) (i.e., PT during season less (PT1) or more (PT2) than 50% of the total time) and maturation level (ML) (i.e., normal (ML1) and early maturity levels (ML2)), and to analyze the differences between groups for the measures of aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, power performance, and hormonal concentrations.

Methods
Twenty-four youth footballers of a U16 team participated in this study. Anthropometric measures, maturity status, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), maximal oxygen uptake, fatigue index, and countermovement jump were collected.

Results
Significant differences were found between both PT and ML groups for maturational status, aerobic capacity, power performance, and IGF1 concentrations. The interaction of PT and ML revealed significant differences for maturity offset and power performance. When using the skeletal age as a covariant, the previously significant differences found were reduced only to the fatigue index measure.

Conclusions
The response variables analyzed in the present study seem to be influenced by PT and ML. This must be considered when planning training, and coaches must be sensible to these effects as they may assume a preponderant role in PT.