bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rural youth’s exposure to firearm violence and their attitudes regarding firearm safety measures
Authors: Jennissen Charles Anthony , King Ryan P. , Wetjen Kristel M. , Denning Gerene M. , Wymore Cole C. , Stange Nicholas R. , Hoogerwerf Pamela J. , Liao Junlin , Wood Kelly E. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

In the wake of an epidemic in firearm-related deaths and injuries, youth have become leading voices of concern. This study’s objective was to investigate rural youth’s personal experiences with firearm-related violence, and their attitudes towards firearms and gun violence prevention strategies.
Methods

Attendees of the 2019 Iowa FFA Leadership Conference were surveyed about personal experiences with firearm-associated deaths and injuries, and their attitudes regarding firearm-related issues. Descriptive (frequencies), bivariate (chi square, Fisher’s exact test) and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed utilizing Stata 15.1 (StataCorp, College Station, Texas).
Results

Responses from 1,382 FFA members 13–18 years of age were analyzed. About 5% had personally seen someone threatened with a firearm. Over one-third (36%) stated they knew someone who had been killed or injured by gunfire. Of these, over two-thirds knew of someone who had died or was injured unintentionally and 30% knew of someone killed or injured intentionally (e.g. suicide).
Nearly all agreed or strongly agreed
that the right to use firearms for hunting and shooting sports
should be legal (94%), that a firearm safety course should be
required to get a hunting license (89%), and that there should be a
required background check before purchasing a firearm (89%).
Over three-fifths (61%) agreed or
strongly agreed that there should be laws requiring safe storage of
firearms in homes.
Although still high, lesser support for
firearm safety policies was seen among males, older youth,
participants living on farms or in the country, and youth who
hunted, had firearms in their homes, and/or were in homes with
unsafe firearm storage.
Conclusions

The majority of youth in this study supported firearm safety measures including required training, background checks, and safe firearm storage in homes. These findings are consistent with the national youth-led call for firearm safety. Additionally, over one-third of respondents personally knew someone who was killed or injured by a firearm and 5% had seen someone or been personally threatened with firearm violence. Our study did not investigate the effects of firearm violence on participants’ mental health and wellbeing, but future studies addressing this question seem highly justified.
Epidemiological Profile of Decision Making Competent Adolescents Engaged in Mental Health Therapy
Authors: Tsamadou E. , Voultsos Polychronis , Emmanouilidis A. , Demertzi E. , Ampatzoglou G. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: A subset of adolescents with mental disorders maintain their ability to be fully engaged in shared clinical decision making process in the context of their psychiatric treatment engagement, thereby promoting an effective therapeutic process. Aim: This paper aims at exploring the epidemiological profile of adolescents who are already engaged in mental health treatment while maintaining their ability to be fully engaged in shared decision making process.Method: A single-center cross-sectional cohort survey was conducted. A sample of fifty participants recruited from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient setting of a tertiary hospital of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. An intelligence test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, WISC III) and a self-report measure of depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI II), in combination with a clinical assessment of participants’ practical wisdom. The mental disorders were defined and diagnosed using the ICD-10 (1992) (International Classification of Diseases), which is under a process of revision and the new edition of IDC-11 is expected to be put in effect in January 2022. At present, the last edition of ICD-10 is in use since 1992. Results: The largest percentage of adolescents (44,9%) were found to suffer from mood (affective) disorders, while 20,4% suffered from neurotic disorders. We also found pessimism (32,7%), reduction of energy (28,6%) and difficulty in concentration (32,7%) in high frequency. 22,4% of adolescents complained of sleep disorders. For the most part, the findings of our study were consistent with prior studies. However, a limited interest in sex was noted, a fact coming in contrast with international and Greek data, where interest and experimentation around sex seems to preoccupy an essential percentage of adolescents. Furthermore, sleep disorders, either as a symptom of an underlying disease, or as an independent clinical condition, seem to preoccupy adolescents and this may be a motive for their treatment engagement.Conclusion: For the most part, the findings enhanced prior studies which, however, did not exclusively include decision competent adolescents with mental disorders who were engaged in psychotherapy (for at least two months). Interestingly, however, we identified some nuances related to interest in sex and sleep disorders. Further research is recommended for the investigation of possible correlations between the lack of interest in sex or sleep disorders and the fact that the adolescents of our sample were decision making competent and engaged in psychotherapy.
Dynamical downscaling for regional climate projection in Central Asia based on bias-corrected multiple GCMs
Authors: Qiu Yuan , Feng Jinming , Yan Zhongwei , Wang Jun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Central Asia (CA) is among the most vulnerable regions to climate change due to the fragile ecosystems, frequent natural hazards, strained water resources, and accelerated glacier melting, which underscores the need to achieve robust projection of regional climate change. In this study, we applied three bias-corrected global climate models (GCMs) to conduct 9km-resolution regional climate simulations in CA for the present (1986–2005) and future (2031–2050) periods. Dynamical downscaling based on multiple bias-corrected GCM outputs obtains numerous added values not only in reproducing the historical climate but also in projecting the climate changes in CA, in comparison to the original GCMs. The regional climate model (RCM) simulations indicate significant warming over CA in the near-term future, with the regional mean increase of annual daily mean temperature (Tmean) in a range of 1.63–2.01℃, relative to the present period. This increase is expected to be higher north of ~ 45°N in each season except summer and the high-elevation areas have a weaker warming signal than the plains through the year. The season with the largest warming rate is not consistent among the RCM simulations, highlighting the necessity of using multiple GCMs as the boundary conditions to give a range of the projected climate changes. A slight increase in annual precipitation is consistently projected in most plain areas, although the changes over few areas are statistically significant. The climate projections presented here serve as a robust scientific basis for assessment of future risk from climate change in CA.
Simultaneous External Validation of Various Cardiac Arrest Prognostic Scores: a Single-center Retrospective Study
Authors: Tsuchida Takumi , Ono Kota , Maekawa Kunihiko , Wada Takeshi , Katabami Kenichi , Yoshida Tomonao , Hayakawa Mineji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to compare and validate the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA); cardiac arrest hospital prognosis (CAHP); non-shockable rhythm, unwitnessed arrest, long no-flow or long low-flow period, blood pH < 7.2, lactate > 7.0 mmol/L, end-stage chronic kidney disease, age ≥ 85 years, still resuscitation, and extracardiac cause (NULL-PLEASE) clinical; post-cardiac arrest syndrome for therapeutic hypothermia (CAST); and revised CAST (rCAST) scores in OHCA patients treated with recent cardiopulmonary resuscitation strategies.Methods: We retrospectively collected data on adult OHCA patients admitted to our emergency department between February 2015 and July 2018. OHCA, CAHP, NULL-PLEASE clinical, CAST, and rCAST scores were calculated based on the data collected. The predictive abilities of each score were tested using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results: We identified 236 OHCA patients from computer-based medical records and analyzed 189 without missing data. In OHCA patients without bystander witnesses, CAHP and OHCA scores were not calculated. Although the predictive abilities of the scores were not significantly different, the NULL-PLEASE score had a large AUC of ROC curve in various OHCA patients. Furthermore, in patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA, the NULL-PLEASE score had large partial AUCs of ROC from sensitivity 0.8 to 1.0 and specificity 0.8 to 1.0. Conclusions: The NULL-PLEASE score had a high, comprehensive predictive ability in various OHCA patients. Furthermore, the NULL-PLEASE score had a high predictive ability for good and poor neurological outcomes in patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA.
Charge Carrier Mapping for Z-scheme Photocatalytic Water Splitting Sheet by Categorization of Microscopic Time-resolved Image Sequence
Authors: Ebihara Makoto , Ikeda Takeshi , Okunaka Sayuri , Tokudome Hiromasa , Domen Kazunari , Katayama Kenji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Photocatalytic water splitting system using particulate semiconductor materials is a promising strategy for converting solar energy into hydrogen and oxygen. In particular, visible-light-driven ‘Z-schematic’ printable photocatalyst sheets are cost-effective and scalable systems. However, little is known about the fundamental photophysical processes, which are key to explain and promote the photoactivity. Here, we applied the pattern-illumination time-resolved phase microscopy (PI-PM) for the printed photocatalyst sheet, composed of Mo-doped BiVO4 and Rh-doped SrTiO3, indium tin oxide (ITO) as an electron mediator, to investigate photo-generated charge carrier dynamics. Using the PI-PM, we successfully observed for the first time the position- and structure-dependent charge carrier behavior, including visualization of the active/inactive sites in the sheet, under the visible-light irradiation via the time sequence images and the clustering analysis. This combination methodology could not only lead the maximum performance of photocatalyst sheets, but also applicable to other systems involving electron transfer.
Direct Comparison of Two Kinds of Linoleic Acid-docetaxel Derivatives: in Vitro Cytotoxicity and in Vivo Antitumor Activity
Authors: Jia Lirui , Liu Ying , Li Meng , Wang Yongjun , He Zhonggui 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Rational designed lipid-drug derivatives provide a favorable approach to improve the druggability of highly hydrophobic prototypes. It has been regarded as common sense that good cytotoxicity is the guarantee of superior anticancer efficacy for candidate derivatives screening. Here, we established two lipid-drug derivatives with different bridge bonds (ester bond and mono thioether bond) linking docetaxel and linoleic acid. The IC50 of DSL NPs (DTX-S-LA nanoparticles) and DL NPs (DTX-LA nanoparticles) were 4.02 and 209.6 ng/mL (DTX equivalent concentration), respectively. However, DL NPs unexpectedly showed stronger tumor inhibition abilities than DSL NPs. To explain the non-positive correlation between cytotoxicity and anticancer efficacy, more experiments were carried out in depth. Remarkably, the drug release studies in blood and PK study both suggested that the DL NPs were more stable to remain the structural integrity in circulation, which resulted in more accumulation in tumor sites. As verified by the bio-distribution study, DL NPs performed a superior target effect than DSL NPs in tumors. Our data indicated that the biological fates of so-called smart bond inserted derivatives in vivo are complicated, thus, simple cytotoxicity is not enough for derivatives screening, and the comprehensive understanding of both in vitro and in vivo behaviors is essential.
Impact of Ferromagnetic Layer Thickness on the Spin Pumping in Co60Fe20B20/Ta Bilayer Thin Films
Authors: Hait Soumyarup , Husain Sajid , Gupta Nanhe Kumar , Behera Nilamani , Kumar Ankit , Gupta Rahul , Barwal Vineet , Pandey Lalit , Svedlindh Peter , Chaudhary Sujeet 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We report the tuneable spin angular momentum transfer (spin pumping) from Co60Fe20B20 (CFB) amorphous alloy into the Ta heavy metal nanolayers. All the films are grown on Si (100) substrate at room temperature using ion-beam sputtering technique. Structural studies reveal that the grown Ta films over amorphous CFB are crystalline even at ultrathin regime. The bilayers possess very low interface roughness (<0.5 nm) and are continuous throughout the thickness range. Comparative analysis of the spin pumping in CFB (4, 6 and 8 nm) as a function of the Ta thickness (vary from 1 to 10 nm in step of 1nm) has been performed employing ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectroscopy. It is observed that the effective damping increase exponentially with the increase of Ta i.e., follows ballistic spin transport) in two series of CFB (4nm)/Ta (0-10nm) and CFB(6nm)/Ta (0-10nm) bilayers, which is characteristic of normal spin pumping. However, the anomalous behaviour has been observed for CFB (8nm)/Ta (0-10nm) bilayer series where the spin current generated in Ta with the thicker CFB behaves oppositely. The results demonstrate the strong dependence of ferromagnet thickness on the spin pumping into the Ta nanolayers. This study paves the way to choose suitable ferromagnetic layer thickness for spin current induced switching applications in spintronics.
Rab7 Reduces α-Synuclein Toxicity in Rats and Primary Neurons
Authors: Szegõ Éva M. , Szegö Eva M. , Haute Chris Van den , Höfs Lennart , Baekelandt Veerle , Perren Anke Van der , Falkenburger Björn 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundDuring the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), aggregation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) induces a vicious cycle of cellular impairments that lead to neurodegeneration. Consequently, removing toxic αSyn aggregates constitutes a plausible strategy against PD. In this work, we tested whether stimulating the autolysosomal degradation of αSyn aggregates through the Ras-related in brain 7 (Rab7) pathway can reverse αSyn-induced cellular impairment and prevent neurodegeneration in vivo.MethodsThe disease-related A53T mutant of αSyn was expressed in primary neurons and in dopaminergic neurons of the rat brain simultaneously with wild type (WT) Rab7 or its dominant-negative T22N mutant as a control. The cellular integrity was quantified by morphological and biochemical analyses.ResultsIn primary neurons, WT Rab7 rescued the αSyn -induced loss of neurons and neurites. Furthermore, Rab7 decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species and the amount of Triton X-100 insoluble αSyn. In rat brain, WT Rab7 reduced αSyn -induced loss of dopaminergic axon terminals in the striatum and the loss of dopaminergic dendrites in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Further, WT Rab7 lowered αSyn pathology as quantified by phosphorylated αSyn staining. Finally, WT Rab7 attenuated αSyn-induced DNA damage in primary neurons and rat brain.ConclusionRab7 reduced αSyn-induced pathology, ameliorated αSyn-induced neuronal degeneration, oxidative stress and DNA damage. These findings indicate that Rab7 is able to disrupt the vicious cycle of cellular impairment, αSyn pathology and neurodegeneration present in PD. Stimulation of Rab7 and the autolysosomal degradation pathway could therefore constitute a beneficial strategy for PD.
Maternal Exposure to Airborne Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes
Authors: Kofoed Ane Bungum , Deen Laura , Hougaard Karin Sørig , Petersen Kajsa Ugelvig , Meyer Harald William , Pedersen Ellen Bøtker , Ebbehøj Niels Erik , Heitmann Berit Lilienthal , Bonde Jens Peter , Tøttenborg Sandra Søgaard 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Speciation and Spatial Distribution of Trace Metals in Sediments Around Gold Mining Areas in Northern Côte D’Ivoire
Authors: N'GORAN Koffi Pierre Dit Adama , Diabaté Donourou , Kouassi N’Guessan Louis Berenger , Yao Koffi Marcellin , Kinimo Kakou Charles , Ouattara Ahbeauriet Ahmed , Trokourey Albert 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution, possible sources, and potential ecological risks associated with traces metals Cu, Mn and Ni in sediments around gold mine areas in northern Côte d’Ivoire. The sampling was conducted in industrial and artisanal and small-scale gold mining sites in Korhogo and Tengrela. Analysis of variance was performed to ascertain spatial differences. The possible sources of pollution were identified using the enrichment factor, principal component, and hierarchical cluster analysis. Trace metals Cu, Ni and Mn concentrations in sediments did not vary across the stations. The same spatial mapping distribution trend was observed for Ni, while those of Cu and Mn differed among the stations. The geoaccumulation index indicated low to moderate contamination of Cu, Mn and Ni at Korhogo and Tengrela. The results of principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that Cu, Ni, and Mn were generated both by anthropogenic and natural inputs, which were confirmed by the enrichment factor. The potential ecological risks indicated that Cu, Mn and Ni could pose low risk to organisms at Korhogo and Tengrela. This study provides first trace metals data in sediments across Korhogo and Tengrela gold mine areas. The sequential extraction procedure proposed by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) showed that a major portion (between 59.68 to 79.22 %) of Cu, Ni and Mn is highly associated with the residual fraction, showing their low mobility.
A Comparative Study of Single Theileria Lestoquardi and Mixed Infections with Theileria Ovis
Authors: Al-Hamidhi Salama , Elshafie Elshafie I. , Morrison Ivan , Johnson Eugene H. , Babiker Hamza 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Epidemiological surveys in Oman have revealed a high prevalence of the co-occurrence of the pathogenic T. lestoquardi and the non-pathogenic T. ovis among sheep in the Barka region, Oman. Our most recent data illustrated an interaction and reduced mortality risk in animals co-infected with T. lestoquardi and T. ovis, suggesting that the latter confers protection against pathogenicity of T. lestoquardi. The present study extends the above findings and examines disease outcomes; clinical markers, hematological parameters and parasite density in mixed and single T. lestoquardi infections. Methods: A total of 390 blood samples were collected from 16 sheep pens located in Barka, Oman between July and November 2019. Theileria spp were detected and quantified using qPCR assay targeting 18S rRNA, and the extent of genetic diversity was estimated by a panel of T. lestoquardi specific micro- and mini-satellites. The association of some disease markers with the presence of Theileria spp. and genetic diversity was tested. Results: Theileria spp were detected in 75 (19.2%) sheep; of these 65 (86.7%) had mixed infections (T. lestoquardi plus T. ovis), 8 (10.6%) were infected with T. lestoquardi alone and 2 (2.7%) with only T. ovis. Exotic breeds had a higher risk for Theileria spp infection. The density of both parasites was higher in single infection against mixed infection, and there was a relatively lower density of T. lestoquardi in mixed infections. However, there was no difference in hematological indices between single T. lestoquardi and mixed infections. High genetic diversity was observed among T. lestoquardi in Barka, with no differences of T. lestoquardi in single and mixed infections. The extent of diversity seen in Barka was higher (He = 0.772) than that reported in Oman in 2019 (He = 0.582), with distinct T. lestoquardi genotypes. Conclusion: The substantial prevalence of T. lestoquardi as mixed vs single infection supports the hypothesis that T. ovis confers protection against lethal T. lestoquardi infection. However, there were no differences in disease correlations (clinical markers, hematology parameters and density of parasites) or the extent of diversity of T. lestoquardi between the two types of infection. The presence of distinct T. lestoquardi genotypes in Barka, compared to that reported earlier in Oman, highlights the need for further analysis of the parasite populations to inform on novel approaches for controlling malignant theileriosis.
Hydrometeorological - hydrometric station network design using multicriteria decision analysis and GIS techniques
Authors: Theochari Aimilia-Panagiota , Feloni Elissavet , Bournas Apollon , Baltas Evangelos 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The design of an optimum hydrometeorological and hydrometric station network constitutes a key factor for the collection of comprehensive and reliable hydrometeorological and flow data that are necessary both for decision making in water resources policy and management and for the hydrometeorological risk assessment. This article describes a methodology developed in a geographic information system (GIS) assisted by a multicriteria decision making (MCDM) approach, which combines a set of spatial criteria in order to propose suitable locations for such a station network installation. Through the design for two networks that meet different requirements, various aspects concerning this methodology are illustrated, such as, the methods regarding criteria classification and weighting, as well as, the effect of weighting itself on the location rating. In particular, the implementation is performed for the Sarantapotamos river basin, an area located in the western part of Attica region, Greece, which is characterized by a great diversity of economic activities, mainly industrial, rural and urban fabric in the lowlands. Finally, the analysis indicates that, in terms of station density as proposed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the optimum hydrometeorological station network consists of three stations and the hydrometric one of two stations.
DNA methylation of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters in the mesocorticolimbic brain following early life stress and ethanol exposure in adulthood
Authors: Vrettou Maria , Yan Liying , Nilsson Kent , Wallén-Mackenzie Åsa , Nylander Ingrid , Comasco Erika 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
DNA methylation and gene expression can be altered by early life stress (ELS) and/or ethanol consumption. The present study aimed to investigate whether DNA methylation of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (Vglut)1–3 is related to previously observed Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (Acb), dorsal striatum (dStr) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult rats exposed to ELS, modelled by maternal separation, and voluntary ethanol consumption. Targeted next-generation bisulfite sequencing was performed to identify the methylation levels on 61 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3′ sites (CpGs) in potential regulatory regions of Vglut1, 53 for Vglut2, and 51 for Vglut3. In the VTA, ELS in ethanol-drinking rats was associated with Vglut1-2 CpG-specific hypomethylation, whereas bidirectional Vglut2 methylation differences at single CpGs were associated with ELS alone. Exposure to both ELS and ethanol, in the Acb, was associated with lower promoter and higher intronic Vglut3 methylation; and in the dStr, with higher and lower methylation in 26% and 43% of the analyzed Vglut1 CpGs, respectively. In the mPFC, lower Vglut2 methylation was observed upon ELS- or ethanol-only. The present findings suggest Vglut1-3 CpG-specific methylation signatures of ELS and ethanol drinking, underlying previously reported Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the mesocorticolimbic brain.