bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding Hg Distribution in Sediments From the Santos and São Vicente Estuarine System, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Kim Bianca Sung Mi , Trevizani Tailisi Hoppe , Angeli José Lourenço Friedmann , Siegle Eduardo , de Mahiques Michel Michaelovich , Figueira Rubens Cesar Lopes 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

The Santos and São Vicente Estuarine System (SSVES) is a region with great economic importance in southeastern Brazil. It contains petrochemical and metallurgical industrial complexes and the largest commercial harbor in South America, which have made the region vulnerable to degradation by chemical pollutants, such as mercury (Hg). This study is the first to evaluate the environmental parameters that control the spatial distribution of Hg in the surface sediments of the SSVES which is influencied mainly by hydrodynamics. The innermost part of the estuarine system, where weaker currents lead to an environment with more sediment deposition, has anomalous Hg concentrations resulting from historical anthropogenic activities. Althought there is a low probability of negative effects of Hg in organisms, this element demonstrates greater mobility and bioavailability in the environment, indicating the need for monitoring Hg for the conservation of this region.
Centrifuge Model Test and Numerical Analysis on Failure Behavior of a Loess – Paleosol Landslide Caused by Excavation
Authors: Che Wenyue , Liu Jin , Peng Jianbing , Fan Zhongjie , Bai Yuxia , Wang Ying , Qian Wei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Many landslides are induced by excavation activities in the loess region. In this article, a loess – paleosol slope model was built and tested under 80 g centrifugal environment. Three certain angle excavations were simulated by manipulator movement. The mini pressure sensor and PIV system were utilized to monitor experimental process respectively. It can be found that the slope from excavation to failure, is liable to form the deep and shallow two sliding surfaces. The distance perpendicular to slope surface was measured as 9.6 cm for the deeper sliding surface, and 4.2 cm for the shallower one. Both of sliding surfaces are caused by the interaction of tensile failure and shear failure, specifically presented as the tensile failure concentrating on the upper part and the shear failure on the lower part. The loess slope can be split into three zones by response of excavation unloading (i.e., the sliding zone, the influenced zone and the uninfluenced zone). The failure pattern belongs to a retrogressive type with the bulging front edge and tension cracking trailing edge. The causes of the fractures on the slope top can be divided into different sections. The fracture near the slope top is induced by tension and shear force. But the fracture away from slope top is only induced by tension. In addition, the plastic zone development distribution of simulation has a good consistency with the centrifugal model deformation zoning diagram. These results can provide guidance for excavation activities in loess – paleosol slopes.
Motherhood as a Double-Edged Sword: A Phenomenological Exploration Into The Lived Experiences of Incarcerated Pregnant Women
Authors: Alirezaei Somayeh , Roudsari Robab Latifnejad 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe global number of women in prison has increased in recent years. Some of these incarcerated women experience pregnancy. Pregnancy in prison has a great impact on the experience of mothers and can affect women’s role in motherhood. This study aimed to understand the meaning of motherhood in pregnant prisoners.Methods The present qualitative research was carried out using a descriptive-interpretive phenomenology via interviews with 11 pregnant or early postpartum women in prison. The participants were purposefully selected from incarcerated pregnant women in 2020 in Iran. Six-step Van Manen’s phenomenological approach was used for data analysis.ResultThe main theme of “motherhood, as a double-edged sword"emerged from the analysis, which consisted of two sub-themes, including “Moving in a circle between togetherness and separation” and “Being subject to ambiguous and illusory thoughts”. Based on the findings, motherhood in prison is just like living in a world, which is shaky and chaotic, and mothers are confused between reaching to and separation from the child. Furthermore, they experience the anxiety and worries of motherhood, and cannot be confident regarding the future of themselves and their children.ConclusionThe experience of motherhood in prison for women was like a double-edged sword; on the one hand, they were fully immersed in motherhood feelings and emotions, which enhanced mother’s tolerance in prison, and on the other hand, the presence of child caused the aggravation of stress and anxiety.
Perceived Physical Activity Barriers in Relation To Depressive Symptoms in Overweight/Obese Latinos –The Adelgaza Trial.
Authors: Figueroa Caroline A. , Aguilera Adrian , Fukuoka Yoshimi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

Latinos are the most physically inactive population in the US and under-utilize depression treatment. Physical activity is a suitable depression treatment, but Latinos report high barriers. The relationship between perceived activity barriers and depression has not been assessed before in Latinos.
Methods

We included 54 overweight Latino participants, BMI > 24.9 kg/m2, 68.5% female, mean age 45.3 years, enrolled in a weight loss intervention–the Adelgaza trial. Using multivariate regression, we examined the association between the total Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We post-hoc assessed this relationship for the BBAQ subscale-scores.
Results

Depression scores were associated with barrier scores (linear effect, estimate = 0.73, p = 0.02). A lack of resources was significantly related to higher depression (post-hoc exploratory, OR = 1.56, p = 0.002).
Conclusion

Physical activity barriers and depression are related in overweight Latino/a men and women. Perceived lack of resources might be a particularly important depression-related barrier.
A Japanese single-center experience of the efficacy and safety of enzyme replacement therapy in childhood-onset hypophosphatasia
Authors: Sugiyama Yohei , Watanabe Taijiro , Tajika Makiko , Matsuhashi Tetsuro , Shimura Masaru , Fushimi Takuya , Ichimoto Keiko , Matsunaga Ayako , Ebihara Tomohiro , Tsuruoka Tomoko , Akiyama Tomoyuki , Murayama Kei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
BackgroundHypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the ALPL gene, which encodes tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. The phenotype of HPP is widely diverse from the perinatal severe form to the adult mild form. The former represents the most severe form and was earlier associated with high mortality due to impaired development of the lungs and severe hypomineralization of the bones. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using asfotase alfa was approved in 2015 in Japan for treating patients with HPP and has improved their pulmonary function and life prognosis. There are several practical and ethical challenges related to using orphan drugs for a rare disorder in a publicly funded healthcare system. Sharing experiences about their application is essential towards formulating guidelines to assist clinicians with decisions about their initiation and withdrawal. We report the details of ERT experience in ten cases of childhood-onset HPP in nine families from January 2015 to November 2019 (median [interquartile range] age 11.0 years [7.6–12.5] years; 60% male). This is the largest study of a single-center cohort describing the clinical course of HPP patients treated with ERT in Asia. ResultsOne case of perinatal lethal form of HPP, two cases of perinatal benign form, six cases of childhood form, and one case of odontohypophophatasia were observed. The most common symptom at onset was bone abnormalities. All patients had low serum ALP levels as compared to the age-matched reference range before the commencement of ERT. All HPP patients responded to ERT without serious adverse effects. Genetic analysis showed that eight out of ten patients had compound heterozygosity; two patients had only one heterozygous variant. In this study, two patients had a heterozygous variant of ALPL and responded to ERT, although the variants did not have the dominant-negative effect. ConclusionsERT may be effective in patients with symptoms of HPP even with only one pathogenic variant of ALPL without dominant-negative effect. Early diagnosis based on symptoms such as bone abnormalities or low serum alkaline phosphatase levels might be essential for early treatment and can contribute to better prognosis.
On the use of self-organizing maps in detecting teleconnections. Part II: temporal aspects
Authors: Stryhal Jan , Beranová Romana , Huth Radan 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Self-organizing maps (SOMs) represent a method widely used to obtain representative states of atmospheric circulation and link these states to local climate on one hand, and large-scale modes of circulation variability on the other. In the present Part II of our study, we focus on the temporal aspects of the link between SOM circulation types (CTs) and main building blocks of spatial-temporal variability represented by (i) three predefined idealized oscillatory variability modes and (ii) four leading modes of Euro-Atlantic circulation variability extracted by principal component analysis (PCA). The CTs respond to various changes in modes, including variations in their strength and preferred phase. However, compared to these responses, the detected sampling variability inherent to decadal-scale datasets generated from identical setting of modes is surprisingly high, showing that trends in the frequency of CTs of approximately ± 30% can occur without any change in the strength and phase of the underlying modes. This suggests that in order to achieve robust changes in CT frequencies, either an unrealistically large change in the underlying variability mode, which is inconsistent with reanalysis data, is required, or simultaneous contributions of two or more modes that superimpose one another are needed. Consequently, to attribute changes in CTs to variability modes, other methods (e.g., PCA) should be used in parallel to SOMs to avoid misinterpretations. Since the results obtained for the idealized modes agree with our findings for real-world circulation, we believe that the rather simplistic idealized modes may be used in future studies that would extend the research to non-linear aspects of teleconnectivity, including (but not limited to) non-stationary spatial patterns and non-linear combination of variability modes in generating synthetic datasets.
Modelling the Impact of Electricity Access on Labour Market Outcomes in Uganda
Authors: Djoumessi Yannick Fosso , AWODUMI Benjamin , ADEOSUN Oluyemi , AHABYOONA Faith 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
This study is designed to assess the impact of household electricity access on labour market outcomes in Uganda. The quasi-experimental method is applied on a sample of 28,035 households, divided into two counterfactual of treatment (n=8,925) and control (n=19,110) groups. Results strongly show that access to electricity significantly increases wages while decreasing the time spent at work. Specifically, the average wage of the households with access to electricity increased by 155%, 124% and 154% with the Kernel Matching (KM), Nearest-Neighbor Matching (NNM) and Radius Matching (RM) technique, respectively. The average job duration of households with electricity access decreased by 1.34%, 2.01% and 2.5% with KM, NNM and RM technique, respectively. It is recommended that the government of Uganda should increase electricity generation coverage through alternative sources as renewable and nuclear energy and improve the quality of existing energy infrastructures. JEL codes: C13, C31
Towards Effective Visual Communication with Positive user Experience: High Contrast and Visibility vs. user-Friendliness/Positive Perception
Authors: Olejnik-Krugly Agnieszka , Lewandowska Anna , Dzisko Malwina , Jankowski Jaroslaw 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Proper contrast used for elements within websites or applications is one of the key factors providing their visibility and ability to attract user attention. While usability guidelines and standards such as WCAG 1 assume the existence of minimal contrast for optimum user experience, maximal contrast for positive user experience has not been defined. Recent studies showed that too high a contrast can be harmful for user experience, while visibility is reduced if it is too low. In the present study, experiments were performed to examine the level of user-friendliness and visibility for selected color pairs. We calculated the color contrast according to the WCAG standard. As a result, it was possible to find color combinations not necessarily with a high contrast but delivering visibility and not diminishing user experience. Finally, a ColoUR Picker Tool was developed that supports designers in the design of effective visual communication, which is understood as searching for a balance between user-friendliness, visibility, and color contrast. Research expands current efforts towards effective web design and increased user experience.
An International Comparative Analysis Highlighting that Canada is Not Keeping Pace With Patient Access to Drugs for Rare Diseases
Authors: Ward Leanne Marie , Chambers Alexandra , Mechichi Emine , Wong-Rieger Durhane , Campbell Craig 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The Canadian government has committed to developing a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases starting in 2022. Considering this announcement, we conducted a comparative analysis to examine patient access to therapies for rare disease in each of Canada’s 10 provinces relative to Europe and the U.S., to understand how Canada measures up relative to other countries. Methods: We analyzed all of the therapies with an orphan drug designation approved by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2020 as the reference for the comparative analysis. We then contrasted access to these drugs in Canada (Health Canada) and the U.S. (Food and Drug Administration, FDA). Our analysis focused on: 1) the number of therapies for rare diseases entering the Canadian market; 2) the percentage of these therapies that are publicly available to Canadians; and 3) the timeliness for patient access to these therapies in Canada. Results: Our analysis identified 63 approved therapies with an orphan drug designation from the EMA. The FDA has approved 53/63 (84%) of these drugs, while Health Canada has approved 41/63 (65%). In Europe, Germany, Denmark, and the U.K. had the highest percentage of publicly reimbursed orphan drugs (84%, 70%, 68%, respectively). In comparison, Ontario (20/63, 32%), Quebec (16/63, 25%), and Alberta (16/63, 25%) had the highest percentage of drugs reimbursed among the Canadian provinces. The shortest median duration (in months) from EMA approval to jurisdictional decision on reimbursement was in Austria (3.2), followed by Germany (4.1), and Finland (6.0). In Canada, the shortest median duration (in months) from regulatory approval to reimbursement was in British Columbia (17.3), Quebec (19.6) and Manitoba (19.6), while the longest duration was in P.E.I (38.5), followed by Nova Scotia (25.9), and Newfoundland (25.1).Conclusions: Our comparative analysis found that Canadians had less frequent and timely access to therapies for rare disease than their global counterparts, highlighting the need for a strategy for rare disease in Canada that optimizes the number of patients with access to rare disease therapies, as quickly as possible.
E-Cigarette Use, Cigarette Use, and Sex Modify the Nasal Microbiome and Nasal Host-Microbiota Interactions
Authors: Hickman Elise , Hinton Andrew , Zorn Bryan , Rebuli Meghan E. , Robinette Carole , Wolfgang Matthew , Mucha Peter J. , Jaspers Ilona 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

E-cigarettes are often perceived as safer than cigarettes, but previous research suggests that e-cigarettes can alter respiratory innate immune function. The respiratory microbiome plays a key role in respiratory host defense, but the effect of e-cigarettes on the respiratory microbiome has not been studied.
Results

Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on nasal epithelial lining fluid samples from adult e-cigarette users, smokers, and nonsmokers, followed by novel computational analysis of pairwise log ratios, we determined that e-cigarette use and smoking causes differential respiratory microbiome dysbiosis, which was further affected by sex. We also collected nasal lavage fluid for analysis of immune mediators associated with host-microbiota interactions. Our analysis identified disruption of the relationships between host-microbiota mediators in the nose of e-cigarette users and smokers, which is indicative of disrupted respiratory mucosal immune responses.
Conclusions

Our data indicate that e-cigarette use, cigarette use, and sex modify the nasal microbiome and nasal host-microbiota interactions. Our approach also provides a novel platform that robustly identifies host immune dysfunction caused by e-cigarette use or smoking.
Improved xylanase Characteristics upon enzyme entrapment Isolated from Thermomyces lanuginosus C9
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Kiran Jawairia , Din Salah Ud , ullah Ameen , Rana Qurrat Ul Ain , Badshah Malik , Hasan Fariha , Khan Samiullah , Shah Aamer A. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Xylanases from microbial sources assume basic jobs in an assortment of industrial applications as a biocatalyst, and its applications generally require immobilization on supports to upgrade their stability. Enzyme immobilization is a thrilling decision to show signs of improved strength of enzymatic procedures. In this work, two sorts of polymeric backings (agar-agar and calcium alginate) are utilized to immobilize β-1,4-xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus C9 by entrapment, and afterward, biochemical properties of the entangled enzymes were performed. To create immobilized catalyst beads centralization of 4% agar while mix of sodium alginate 5% and calcium chloride 0.4 M was seen as ideal. Ideal reaction time for agar and calcium alginate immobilized protein increments from 10 to 25 and 30 min, separately. The incubation temperature expanded from 70°C to 75°C for agar however stayed unaltered for calcium alginate. The pH profile of free and immobilized xylanase was generally equal in both cases. Be that as it may, both the strategies changed the active boundaries of immobilized β-1,4-xylanase rather than free protein. High sub-atomic load of xylan limits dispersion which brings down the Vmax estimation of immobilized protein while Km value expanded. In contrast with agar-agar, protein immobilized inside calcium alginate display wide thermal stability and kept up 86.6% of its underlying activity at 80°C up to 150 min. Be that as it may, biotechnological portrayal demonstrated that the catalyst reusability was the most surprising discovery, predominantly of agar-agar immobilized xylanase, which held 31% activity after 7 cycles. These outcomes prove the biotechnical and monetary advantages of immobilization which help in an assortment of industrial applications.
Mechanically Excellent Nacre-inspired Protective Steel-Concrete Composite against Hypervelocity Impacts
Authors: Mei Yong , Liu Jinming , Cui Yuan , Li Feng , Tang Xuke , Sun Miao , Chi Ruiqiang , Zhang* Yongbo , Zhang* Ao , Chen* Ke 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Steel-concrete (SC) composite widely used in military defensive project is due to its impressive mechanical properties, long-lived service, and low cost. However, the growing use of hypervelocity kinetic weapons in the present war puts forward higher requirements for the anti-explosion and penetration performance of military protection engineering. Here, inspired by the special ‘brick-and-mortar’ (BM) structural feature of natural nacre, we firstly construct a nacre-inspired steel-concrete (NISC) engineering composite with 2510 kg/m3, possessing nacre-like lamellar architecture via a bottom-up assembling technique. The NISC engineering composite exhibits nacreous BM structural similarity, high compressive strength of 68.5 MPa, compress modulus of 42.0 GPa, Mohs hardness of 5.5, Young’s modulus of 41.5 GPa, and shear modulus of 18.4 GPa, higher than pure concrete. More interestingly, the hypervelocity impact tests reveal the penetration capability of our NISC target material is obviously stronger than that of pure concrete, enhanced up to about 46.8% at the striking velocity of 1 km/s and approximately 30.9% at the striking velocity of 2 km/s, respectively, by examining the damages of targets, the trajectories, penetration depths, and residual projectiles. This mechanically integrated enhancement can be attributed to nacre-like BM structural architecture derived from assembling the special steel-bar framework-reinforced concrete platelets. This study highlights a key role of nacre-like structure design in promoting the enhanced hypervelocity impact resistance of steel-concrete composites.
A Novel Method of Prescribed Constraint Control Without Initial Condition of Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Liu Hui , Li Xiaohua , Liu Xiaoping 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
A novel constraint control strategy without initial condition of constrained variables is investigated based on backstepping technique for nonlinear systems. In this paper, the novel constraint control strategy is presented for a class of strict-feedback nonlinear systems with actuator saturation and external disturbances by using a nonlinear mapping and a novel performance constraint function. In this control strategy, there are two prescribed constraint functions, the design of these functions is not related to the initial conditions of the constrained variables. Unlike the existing constraint control method without initial condition, the proposed method gives a new solution. It can guarantee that the constraint variable gets into a prescribed constraint region from any initial value no later than a setting time. And the setting time is a design parameter, it can be set arbitrarily. A prescribed performance constraint tracking controller is designed in this paper. It can make that the tracking error of the nonlinear system is constrained to a given region no later than the given setting time, and the transient and steady state performance of the system are ensured. Finally, the proposed method is compared with the existing method, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are demonstrated by two practical examples.