bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Political and policy dilemmas of euro adoption in CEE countries: What next when crisis hits?
Authors: Bod Péter Ákos , Pócsik Orsolya , Neszmélyi György Iván 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSuccessive crises and shifts in geopolitics necessitate a more coherent Europe, with the euro as a key instrument, yet the enlargement of the euro area is unfinished. The paper reconstructs diverging trends in non‐EA countries, and considers the motivations of key stakeholders in countries without commitment to enter. The approach applied is dual: we reconsider economic arguments of a currency reform and conduct political economy analysis with the underlying hypothesis that euro adoption, for businesses, is a cost/benefit issue, while for governments, parties, and voters it is a sovereignty issue with cost/benefit aspects attached. The authors conclude that macroeconomic and business considerations would support Eurozone entry in all CEE countries concerned. As for key stakeholders, society and the business community support the euro, but particular government interests are at stake. Post‐pandemic realities would reconfirm rational arguments for euro entry; to make that happen, economic nationalist and state developmental concepts need be discarded.
Sensory disruption and sensory inequities in the Anthropocene
Authors: Hoover Kara C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic disruptions to animal sensory ecology are as old as our species. But what about the effect on human sensory ecology? Human sensory dysfunction is increasing globally at great economic and health costs (mental, physical, and social). Contemporary sensory problems are directly tied to human behavioral changes and activity as well as anthropogenic pollution. The evolutionary sensory ecology and anthropogenic disruptions to three human senses (vision, audition, olfaction) are examined along with the economic and health costs of functionally reduced senses and demographic risk factors contributing to impairment. The primary goals of the paper are (a) to sew an evolutionary and ecological thread through clinical narratives on sensory dysfunction that highlights the impact of the built environment on the senses, and (b) to highlight structural, demographic, and environmental injustices that create sensory inequities in risk and that promote health disparities.
Effects of layered double hydroxides on the thermal and flame retardant properties of intumescent flame retardant high density polyethylene composites
Authors: Khanal Santosh , Lu Yunhua , Jin Dandan , Xu Shiai 
Published: February 2021

SummaryIn this study, two layered double hydroxides (LDHs), ZnAl‐LDH, and MgAl‐LDH, were combined with intumescent flame retardant (IFR) consisting of ammonium polyphosphate and tris (2‐hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate to prepare flame retardant high density polyethylene composites. The thermal and flame retardant properties of these composites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index measurement, and cone calorimetry, while the morphology and chemical structure of the char residue were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy, and laser Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of both HD/IFR/Zn‐LDH and HD/IFR/Mg‐LDH composites was 52.0% and 12.0% lower than that of HD and HD/IFR, respectively, suggesting that there was no difference in the reduction of PHRR between the two LDHs. The use of LDHs resulted in the formation of compact char residue with a high graphitic degree, but no significant increase in tensile strength.
Specific amino acids but not total protein attenuate postpartum weight gain among Hispanic women from Southern California
Authors: Wild Laura E. , Alderete Tanya L. , Naik Noopur C. , Patterson William B. , Berger Paige K. , Jones Roshonda B. , Plows Jasmine F. , Goran Michael I. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThere is a high prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United States, particularly among Hispanic women, which may be partly explained by failure to lose gestational weight during the postpartum period. Previous work indicates that protein and amino acids may protect against weight gain; therefore, this study examined the impact of dietary protein and amino acid intake on changes in postpartum weight and the percent of women meeting the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for these dietary variables among Hispanic women from the Southern California Mother's Milk Study (n = 99). Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between protein and amino acid intake with change in weight after adjusting for maternal age, height, and energy intake. Women's weight increased from prepregnancy to 1‐month and 6‐months postpartum (71.1 ± 14.6 vs. 73.1 ± 13.1 vs. 74.5 ± 14.6 kg, p < .0001). Although dietary protein was not associated with weight change (β = −1.09; p = .13), phenylalanine (β = −1.46; p = .04), tryptophan (β = −1.71; p = .009), valine (β = −1.34; p = .04), isoleucine (β = −1.26; p = .045), and cysteine (β = −1.52; p = .02) intake were inversely associated with weight change. Additionally, fewer women met the EAR values for cysteine (11.1%), phenylalanine (60.6%), and methionine (69.7%), whereas most women met the EAR values for tryptophan (92.9%), valine (96.0%), and isoleucine (94.9%). Study results indicate that several essential and conditionally essential amino acids were associated with postpartum weight loss, with a significant portion of women not meeting recommended intake levels for some of these amino acids. These results highlight the importance of postpartum maternal diet as a potential modifiable risk factor.
Barium effect on germination, plant growth, and antioxidant enzymes in Cucumis sativus L. plants
Authors: Sleimi Noomene , Kouki Rim , Hadj Ammar Maryem , Ferreira Renata , Pérez‐Clemente Rosa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBarium (Ba) is a nonessential element that can cause several deleterious effects in most organisms. Elevated Ba concentrations can be toxic for plants and may affect growth and disturbances in homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the Ba stress, the plant‐tolerance limits, and the detoxification strategy adopted by Cucumis sativus L. The effect of Ba on seed's germination and vegetative development of this species was evaluated. For germination test, different Ba concentrations were used (0, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 μM). Results showed that germination was stimulated with 500 and 2,000 µM of Ba. The toxicity effect on plant development was studied by treating the plants with increasing doses of Ba (100, 200, 300, and 500 μM) during 45 days. Shoot and root dry biomass production decreased significantly with elevated Ba concentrations, although water content enhanced in the roots. The concentration of Ba, 500 µM, induced high Ba accumulation in shoots and roots (9 times higher than in the control plants). Moreover, results showed that catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities were stimulated in the different tissues of cucumber plants which highlight the occurring of an oxidative damage through Ba treatments and the involvement of the plant enzymatic antioxidant defense system.
Getting to the Truth: Ethics, Trust, and Triage in the United States versus Europe during the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Orfali Kristina 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEthical issues around triage have been at the forefront of debates during the Covid‐19 pandemic. This essay compares both discussion and guidelines around triage and the reality of what happened in the United States and in Europe, both in anticipation of and during the first wave of the pandemic. Why did the issue generate so many vivid debates in the United States and so few in most European countries, although the latter were also affected by the rationing of health care resources? Are countries with socialized health care systems better equipped to face the hard choices of triaging? Important lessons in transparency, trust, and accountability for policy‐makers can be drawn from this comparison, demonstrating that fostering public involvement and ethical debate remains a critical element for the sustained acceptance of any triage plan.
The variability of MR axon radii estimates in the human white matter
Authors: Veraart Jelle , Raven Erika P. , Edwards Luke J. , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Jones Derek K. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe noninvasive quantification of axonal morphology is an exciting avenue for gaining understanding of the function and structure of the central nervous system. Accurate non‐invasive mapping of micron‐sized axon radii using commonly applied neuroimaging techniques, that is, diffusion‐weighted MRI, has been bolstered by recent hardware developments, specifically MR gradient design. Here the whole brain characterization of the effective MR axon radius is presented and the inter‐ and intra‐scanner test–retest repeatability and reproducibility are evaluated to promote the further development of the effective MR axon radius as a neuroimaging biomarker. A coefficient‐of‐variability of approximately 10% in the voxelwise estimation of the effective MR radius is observed in the test–retest analysis, but it is shown that the performance can be improved fourfold using a customized along‐tract analysis.
Ghost trains: Australian rail in the early stages of the global COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Naweed Anjum , Jackson Janet E. , Read Gemma J. M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe rail industry, as with all sectors worldwide, has faced disruptions due to the global COVID‐19 pandemic. This commentary considers how rail organizations in Australia have engaged within the early stages of the crisis, outlining the challenges faced and how they were addressed. Relying on our observations, and anecdotes obtained from others across the Australian rail industry, we identified a range of impacts including determining service delivery levels (and the associated running of “ghost trains”), implementing hygiene measures and social distancing, managing training and medical assessments, and changes in the behavior of passengers and members of the public (including aggression toward staff and increased instances of trespass). Within rail organizations, we saw changes to communication and control structures, new challenges related to balancing priorities (managing risk of rail accidents vs. virus transmission risk), and negative impacts on job design offset by increased informal support for frontline workers. Importantly, from the crisis, we gained new insights about culture. Finally, we provide recommendations regarding how the Human Factors and Ergonomics discipline can support safe and effective rail operations in the context of both widespread crises such as pandemics as well as the less dramatic, but ever present, shifts in the physical, social, economic, and political environments in which rail organizations operate.
Validating Operator Event Sequence Diagrams: The case of an automated vehicle to human driver handovers
Authors: Stanton Neville A. , Brown James , Revell Kirsten M. A. , Langdon Pat , Bradley Mike , Politis Ioannis , Skrypchuk Lee , Thompson Simon , Mouzakitis Alexandros 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPredicting what drivers will do as vehicle control is handed over to them from automation is a relatively new challenge for the motor vehicle industry. Operator Event Sequence Diagrams (OESDs) offer a way of modeling the interactions between the driver and vehicle automation in the handover of control. In this paper, two studies are presented in which a range of handover strategies are tested. The anticipated driver strategies were modeled using OESDs to serve as predictions of driver behavior. Drivers were then observed in two separate studies: (1) using a Lower‐Fidelity (vehicle seat and controls) simulator and (2) using a Higher‐Fidelity (whole vehicle) simulator. Driver behavior during a takeover task was categorized according to the signal detection paradigm into hits, misses, false alarms, and correct rejections. The results showed that for all strategies in both sets of studies, the median criterion for validity was exceeded ( > 0.8), suggesting that OESDs made good predictions of driver behavior during the handover of the vehicle from automation to manual control.
Sodium salicylate enhances neural excitation via reducing GABAergic transmission in the dentate gyrus area of rat hippocampus in vivo
Authors: Tang Hui‐Ping , Gong Hua‐Rui , Zhang Xu‐Lai , Huang Yi‐Na , Wu Chuan‐Yun , Tang Zheng‐Quan , Chen Lin , Wang Ming 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSodium salicylate, one of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, is widely prescribed in the clinic, but a high dose of usage can cause hyperactivity in the central nervous system, including the hippocampus. At present, the neural mechanism underlying the induced hyperactivity is not fully understood, in particular, in the hippocampus under an in vivo condition. In this study, we found that systemic administration of sodium salicylate increased the field excitatory postsynaptic potential slope and the population spike amplitude in a dose‐dependent manner in the hippocampal dentate gyrus area of rats with in vivo field potential extracellular recordings, which indicates that sodium salicylate enhances basal synaptic transmission and neural excitation. In the presence of picrotoxin, a GABA‐A receptor antagonist, sodium salicylate failed to increase the initial slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential and the amplitude of the population spike in vivo. To further explore how sodium salicylate enhances the neural excitation, we made whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings from hippocampal slices. We found that perfusion of the slice with sodium salicylate decreased electrically evoked GABA receptor‐mediated currents, increased paired‐pulse ratio, and lowered frequency and amplitude of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Together, these results demonstrate that sodium salicylate enhances the neural excitation through suppressing GABAergic synaptic transmission in presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms in the hippocampal dentate gyrus area. Our findings may help understand the side effects caused by sodium salicylate in the central nervous system.
A cluster randomised controlled trial of a secondary school intervention to reduce intake of sugar‐sweetened beverages: Mid‐intervention impact of switchURsip environmental strategies
Authors: Sutherland Rachel , Ying Ooi Jia , Finch Meghan , Yoong Sze Lin , Nathan Nicole , Wrigley Jessica , Reilly Kathryn , Janssen Lisa , Wiggers John , Wolfenden Luke 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIssue addressedSecondary schools provide an opportune setting for interventions addressing excessive sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) intake in adolescence. This trial aimed to assess the impact of school environmental strategies, delivered as part of a broader intervention, among Year 7‐9 students’ SSB consumption.MethodsBetween March and July 2018, we conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial with 862 students attending six secondary schools (3 intervention and 3 control) in New South Wales. The intervention targeted SSB availability, placement, promotion and pricing, and increased availability and promotion of water. Control schools followed their usual programmes. Primary outcomes included mean daily SSB consumption (millilitres) and mean daily percentage energy from SSB (kilojoules). Sub‐group analysis explored primary outcomes for gender, school year level and frequency of canteen use.ResultsOf the 2265 eligible students, 1092 (50.2%) provided active parental consent and 940 (86.0%) participated in baseline data collection. No significant differences were observed between groups at follow‐up for mean daily SSBs consumed (−10.17 mL, CI: −24.78; 45.12, P = 0.57) or mean daily percentage energy from SSBs (−0.20%, CI: −0.87; 0.47, P = .56). Significant effects were observed among girls in intervention compared to girls in control schools for mean daily SSB consumption (−52.02 mL, CI 99.8; 94.14, P = .03) and mean daily percentage of energy from SSBs (−0.90%, CI: −1.82; 0.02, P = .05).ConclusionsAt 3‐month mid‐intervention evaluation, the intervention failed to impact on mean daily consumption and mean percentage energy from SSBs, overall. However, an intervention effect was observed in girls. The limited overall effect is likely due to inadequate intervention dose related to the short duration, limiting opportunities for schools to fully implement the environmental strategies.So what?A longer intervention duration with additional implementation support to allow adequate time to embed the strategies within the school is recommended. Implementation support strategies would ensure staff are supported throughout the process.
The performance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody point‐of‐care tests on oral fluid or whole blood and dried blood spot testing for HCV serology and viral load among individuals at higher risk for HCV in South Africa
Authors: Prabdial‐Sing Nishi , Gaelejwe Lucinda , Makhathini Lillian , Thaver Jayendrie , Manamela Morubula Jack , Malfeld Susan , Spearman C. Wendy , Sonderup Mark , Scheibe Andrew , Young Katherine , Hausler Harry , Puren Adrian J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and AimsTo enhance screening and diagnosis in those at‐risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV), efficient and improved sampling and testing is required. We investigated the performance of point‐of‐care (POC) tests and dried blood spots (DBS) for HCV antibody and HCV RNA quantification in individuals at higher risk for HCV (people who use and inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men) in seven South African cities.MethodsSamples were screened on the OraQuick HCV POC test (471 whole blood and 218 oral fluid); 218 whole blood and DBS paired samples were evaluated on the ARCHITECT HCV antibody (Abbott) and HCV viral load (COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan version 2) assays. For HCV RNA quantification, 107 dB were analyzed with and without normalization coefficients.ResultsPOC on either whole blood or oral fluid showed an overall sensitivity of 98.5% (95% CI 97.4‐99.5), specificity of 98.2% (95% CI 98.8‐100) and accuracy of 98.4% (95% CI 96.5‐99.3). On the antibody immunoassay, DBS showed a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 93.4‐98.6), specificity of 97% (95% CI 94.8‐99.3) and accuracy of 96.3% (95% CI 93.8‐98.8). A strong correlation (R2 = 0.90) between viral load measurements for DBS and plasma samples was observed. After normalization, DBS viral load results showed an improved bias from 0.5 to 0.16 log10 IU/mL.ConclusionThe POC test performed sufficiently well to be used for HCV screening in at‐risk populations. DBS for diagnosis and quantification was accurate and should be considered as an alternative sample to test. POC and DBS can help scale up hepatitis services in the country, in light of our elimination goals.
Heavy menstrual bleeding awareness among Saudi female population and clinical implications
Authors: Alsalman Mortadah , Albarak Ashjan , Busaleh Fatemah , Alshaikh Salwa , Alluwaim Mariam , Busaleh Mariya , Albarrak Ayman 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundHeavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common clinical problem. However, seeking medical advice might be delayed until patients develop several clinical consequences.AimTo assess the prevalence and awareness of HMB among the Saudi female population and measures that are commonly used to control the bleeding.MethodThis is a cross‐sectional study where a trained study team member carried out a survey. The survey includes patient demographics and medications history, comorbidities, blood transfusion, and patient perception about her period. HMB was defined as bleeding lasting >7 days, flooding or changing protection more than every 2 hours, and passing clots >1 in. in diameter.ResultsFour hundred and thirty‐one women were evaluated for HMB with a median age of 27.72 ± 7.75. Out of the total number, 281 (65.2%) females were identified to have HMB. Among these 281 females, only 35.6% were aware of having HMB, whereas 64.4% either unaware or unsure about having it. For those who were aware of having HMB, only 32% seek medical advice, particularly gynecology clinic though 46.6% were not satisfied with offered management. On the other hand, 28% and 3.9% of those unaware of having HMB did required iron supplementation and blood transfusion, respectively.ConclusionHMB is a major clinical problem though awareness about having HMB lacks regardless of the age and education level. Raising awareness and a multidisciplinary approach may result in early diagnosis, early intervention, and reduction of clinical consequences.
Sources of variability in springwater chemistry in Fool Creek, a high‐elevation catchment of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Authors: Rhoades Charles C. , Fegel Timothy S. , Covino Timothy P. , Dwire Kathleen A. , Elder Kelly 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSprings are the point of origin for most headwater streams and are important regulators of their chemical composition. We analysed solute concentrations of water emerging from 57 springs within the 3 km2 Fool Creek catchment at the Fraser Experimental Forest and considered sources of spatial variation among them and their influence on the chemical composition of downstream water. On average, calcium and acid neutralizing capacity (bicarbonate‐ANC) comprised 50 and 90% of the cation and anion charge respectively, in both spring and stream water. Variation in inorganic chemical composition among springs reflected distinct groundwater sources and catchment geology. Springs emerging through glacial deposits in the upper portion of the catchment were the most dilute and similar to snowmelt, whereas lower elevation springs were more concentrated in cations and ANC. Water emerging from a handful of springs in a geologically faulted portion of the catchment were more concentrated than all others and had a predominant effect on downstream ion concentrations. Chemical similarity indicated that these springs were linked along surface and subsurface flowpaths. This survey shows that springwater chemistry is influenced at nested spatial scales including broad geologic conditions, elevational and spatial attributes and isolated local features. Our results highlight the role of overlapping factors on solute export from headwater catchments.
Sap flow and plant water sources for typical vegetation in a subtropical humid karst area of southwest China
Authors: Zeng Xiangming , Xu Xianli , Yi Ruzhou , Zhong Feixia , Zhang Yaohua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPlant water use plays a crucial part in the soil–plant‐atmosphere continuum. However, in karst regions, plants frequently suffer from water shortages due to low soil water storage capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to understand plant water consumption (as determined by sap flow) and seasonal variation of water sources to improve water management in karst catchments. In this study, thermal dissipation probes (TDP), calibrated using empirical equations, were used to measure the sap flow of three typical woody vegetations, including Coriaria nepalensis (sparse‐shrub), Toona sinensis (secondary forest) and Populus adenopoda (shrub‐grass). Oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes were used to analyze seasonal variation of plant water sources. The results showed that: (1) T. Sinensis (3.89 ± 3.87 L·day−1) had significantly higher daily sap flow than C. nepalensis (0.33 ± 0.37 L·day−1) and P. adenopoda (0.09 ± 0.12 L·day−1); (2) daily sap flow was closely correlated to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD); (3) over the entire study period, plants mainly used water from the surface soil horizons; and (4) a greater proportion of epikarst water was used for C. nepalensis than by T. sinensis and P. adenopoda over the whole growth stage, and more epikarst water was used in early and mid‐growth stages compared to the late stage for the three species. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the plant water use strategies in karst regions, and is helpful for ecosystem management.