bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining stress state of source media with identified difference between groundwater level during loading and unloading induced by earth tide
Authors: Yu Huaizhong , Yu Chen , Zhao Binbin , Yue Chong , Chang Yulong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

The groundwater might be adopted as a useful tool to explore pre-seismic stress change in the crust, because it circulates in the deep crust and should be altered by the processes associated with the preparation of earthquakes. This work makes a new attempt that applies the load/unload response ratio (LURR) technique to study stress state of source media by calculating the ratio between water level during the loading and unloading phases. The change of Coulomb failure stress induced by earth tide in the tectonically preferred slip direction on the fault surface of the main shock is adopted for differentiating the loading and unloading periods. Using this approach, we test the groundwater level in the wells near the epicenters of some large earthquakes occurred in the Sichuan-Yunnan region of southwest China. Results show that the LURR time series fluctuate narrowly around 1.0 for many years, and climb to the maximum peaks prior to the main shocks. The magnitude of the pre-seismic peaks decreases with the distance from the epicenters. We hypothesized that the underlying physics of these changes might be explained by the pre-seismic dilatancy. The corresponding volume variations could be observed in the geodetic time series in the same neighborhoods.
Left atrial diameter, CHA2DS2-VASc score and type of atrial fibrillation predict pulmonary vein isolation outcome
Authors: Jurcevic Ruzica , Angelkov Lazar , Ristic Velibor , Vukajlovic Dejan , Otasevic Petar , Tasic Nebojsa , Bojic Milovan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the most effective treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated Pulmonary Vein Isolation Outcome Degree (PVIOD) as a new semi-quantitative measure for PVI success after a 7-year follow-up and determined predictors associated with PVIOD.Methods We enrolled 117 patients with symptomatic AF who underwent PVI and after a 7-year follow-up applied PVIOD with 4 possible outcomes. PVIOD 1 group included patients with successful single PVI. PVIOD 2 group included patients with efficacy after ≥ 2 re-PV isolation and/or additional substrate modification (ASM). PVIOD 3 group contained subjects with clinical success after PVI±ASM. Patients with procedural and clinical failure were in PVIOD 4 group.Results In multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis PVIOD was independently associated with longstanding persistent AF with paroxysmal AF as referent category: odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3-12.8 (P=0.014), left atrial (LA) diameter: OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3 (P<0.001) and CHA2DS2-VASc score: OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.2 (P=0.039). LA size, CHA2DS2-VASc score and AF type predicted 7-year probability for procedural and procedural with clinical failure. LA diameter >41mm (AUC 0.741, 95% CI 0.6-0.8, P<0.001) and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 (AUC 0.718, 95% CI 0.6-0.8, P<0.001) predicted long-term procedural and clinical failure. Conclusion PVIOD is a new classification for PVI success. LA diameter, CHA2DS2-VASc score and AF type are independently associated with PVIOD and predict procedural and procedural with clinical failure after the 7-year follow-up. LA diameter >41mm and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥2 predict long-term PVI failure.
Sustainability of Groundwater Resources of Weathered and Fractured Schists in the Rural Areas of Galicia (Spain)
Authors: Samper Javier , Naves Acacia , Pisani Bruno , Dafonte Jorge , Montenegro Luis , García-Tomillo Aitor 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Water supply deficits in droughts, groundwater pollution and climate change are the main challenges for the sustainability of groundwater resources from hard rock aquifers in the rural areas of Galicia (Spain). Here we address the sustainability of groundwater resources of weathered and fractured schists in the rural areas of Abegondo municipality. The conceptualization of the hydrogeology of the study area includes: 1) The regolith, 2) The fractured rock layer; and 3) The underlying fresh bedrock. Groundwater flows mostly through the regolith and the fractured rock. Rainfall infiltration is the source of aquifer recharge. Groundwater discharges in seepage areas, springs and along creeks and valleys. The water table is generally shallow and shows seasonal oscillations of up to 4 m. The equivalent transmissivity ranges from 15 to 35 m2/d. Electrical resistivity tomography identifies a shallow water table and attests that the contact of the fractured rock and the fresh bedrock is highly heterogeneous. Groundwater resources were quantified with a hydrological water balance model. The mean annual recharge is approximately equal to 185 mm. Groundwater recharge at the end of the 21st century could decrease from 6% to 10% due to climate change. The decline in groundwater table could aggravate the shortages during droughts. Groundwater quality data show bacteriological and nitrate contamination due to a poor management of the manure in the fields and occasional discharges of slurry from pig and mink farms. Groundwater management and protection actions are proposed to prevent groundwater pollution and achieve a sustainable groundwater supply in the study area.
Cross-linked chitosan-glyoxal/kaolin clay composite: Parametric optimization for color removal and COD reduction of remazol brilliant blue R dye
Authors: Jawad Ali H. , Abdulhameed Ahmed Saud , Kashi Elmira , Yaseen Zaher Mundher , ALOthman Zeid A. , Khan Mohammad Rizwan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Kaolin clay (KN) was employed as an inorganic filler to modify a cross-linked chitosan-glyoxal as Schiff’s-based chitosan composite derivative (CTS-GLY). The resulting (CTS-GLY/KN) was found to be a promising composite synthetic biopolymer that can be potentially utilized for color removal as well as COD reduction of an industrial anionic dye (remazol brilliant blue R, RBBR). The surface porosity, crystallinity, morphology, functionality, charge, and amine content of the CTS-GLY/KN were studied using BET, XRD, SEM, FTIR, pHpzc and pH-potentiometric titration analyses, respectively. Response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) was used to optimize the impact of the main input factors on the color removal and COD reduction of RBBR. The adsorptive performance CTS-GLY/KN towards RBBR was well-defined by both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models with highest adsorption capacity of 447.1 mg/g at 30 ˚C. This finding reveals that CTS-GLY/KN can be utilized as a promising, feasible, and environmentally friendly composite-biosorbent for color removal and COD reduction of textile dyes from aqueous medium.
Application of Electromagnetic Sensing and Infiltration Measurements to Evaluate Salinity Reclamation and Turfgrass Management Options for Improved Leaching
Authors: Semiz Gülüzar Duygu , Suarez Donald L. , Lesch Scott 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Scarce freshwater resources in arid and semiarid regions means that recreational landscapes should use recycled or low quality waters for irrigation, increasing the risk of salinity and infiltration problems. We map salinity distribution within turf fields using electromagnetic sensing, evaluate need for leaching and evaluate post leaching results for subsequent management decisions. Electromagnetic measurements were made with two EM38 instruments positioned vertically and horizontally in order to determine salinity distribution. Sensor readings were coupled to GPS data to create spatial salinity maps. Next, optimal calibration point coordinates were determined via ESAP software. Soil samples were taken from 0-60 cm at 5 depths for each calibration point. Laboratory soil saturation percentage, moisture content, ECe and pHe of saturation extracts were determined for calibration to convert resistivity measurements to ECe. Next, ECe maps were created using ESAP software. Leaching for reclamation was performed by means of sprinkling. Treated municipal wastewater was utilized both for irrigation and for reclamation leaching. Low water content and high spatial variability of soil texture adversely affected the accuracy of the readings. Pre and post leaching surveys indicate that there was only a 30% decrease in salinity, very low relative to expected results considering the amount of water applied. This relatively low reduction in salinity and the lack of runoff during irrigation combined with infiltration measurements suggests that aeration techniques for healthier grasses led to water bypassing small pores thus limiting leaching efficiency. In this instance practices to improve infiltration lead paradoxically to less salinity reclamation than expected.
Last Millennium Drought-inducing Teleconnections of the West Pacific Gradient during ENSO
Authors: Zinke Jens , Browning Stuart A. , Hoell Andrew , Goodwin Ian D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Conflicting evidence points to either a strengthening or weakening Walker Circulation over the 20th century based on changes in sea surface temperature and sea level pressure gradients between the western and eastern Pacific. Since small changes in Pacific temperature gradients connected with the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are related to global climate anomalies, it is of paramount importance to develop robust indices of their past behaviour. Here, we reconstruct the difference in sea surface temperature between the west and central Pacific during ENSO based on the Last Millennium Paleo Hydrodynamics Data Assimilation since 1000 AD. We demonstrate that the strength of the West Pacific Gradient (WPG) is related to stronger atmospheric circulation and remote precipitation anomalies during both historical El Niño and La Niña events and societally relevant drought teleconnections. A strong negative WPG coupled with a strong zonal Pacific temperature gradient is associated with enhanced megadroughts between 1400 AD and the late 16th century. The 20th century stands out as the period with most extreme swings between positive and negative WPG conditions. We conclude that the WPG serves as a powerful index of Pacific Walker Circulation variability and their associated global climate teleconnections.
Insight into the Characteristics of Research Published in Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine Journals: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Complementary, alternative and integrative medicine (CAIM) can be described as diverse medical and healthcare interventions, practices, products, or disciplines that are not considered as part of conventional medicine. Inherent in its definition, CAIMs are comprised of a wide variety of therapies with highly variable safety and effectiveness evidence profiles. Despite this, the use of many CAIMs is highly prevalent among patients globally. The present study consists of a bibliometric analysis of CAIM journals. Methods: A single search of all International Standard Serial Number (ISSNs) of all journals categorized as “complementary and alternative medicine” (code 2707) based on the All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) was run on Scopus on April 17, 2021. All publication types were included; no further search limits were applied. The following bibliometric data were collected: number of publications (in total and per year), authors and journals; open access status; journals publishing the highest volume of literature and their impact factors; language, countries, institutional affiliations, and funding sponsors of publications; most productive authors; and highest-cited publications. Trends associated with this subset of publications were identified and presented. Bibliometric networks were constructed and visualized using the software tool VOSviewer.Results: A total of 172466 publications (42331 open access), were published by 219680 authors in 143 journals from 1938 to 2021. Since the 1940s, an upward trend with respect to the volume of publications can be observed, with a steep increase observed between the mid-2000s and mid-2010s. The journal that published the largest number of publications was the Journal of Natural Products (n=15144). The most productive countries included China (n=45860), the United States (n=29523), and Germany (n=10120); a number of the most common intuitional affiliations and funding sponsors also originated from these three countries.Conclusions: The number of publications collectively published in CAIM journals follows an upward trend. Given a high prevalence of CAIM use among patients, increased acceptance of CAIM among conventional healthcare providers, and growing interest in the research of CAIM, future work should continue to investigate and track changes in the publication characteristics of the emerging research on this topic.
Antifungal Activity of Linear and Disulfide-Cyclized Ultrashort Cationic Lipopeptides Alone and in Combination with Fluconazole Against Vulvovaginal Candida spp.
Authors: Czechowicz Paulina , Neubauer Damian , Nowicka Joanna , Kamysz Wojciech , Gościniak Grażyna 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) occurs in over 75% of women at least once during their lifetime and is an infection that significantly affects their health. Candida strains resistant to standard azole antifungal therapy and relapses of VVC are more and more common. Hypothetically, biofilm is one of the main reasons of relapses and failure of the therapy. Ultrashort cationic lipopeptides (USCLs) exhibit high antimicrobial activities. Our previous study on USCLs revealed that disulfide cyclization can result in selective antifungal compounds. Therefore, four USCL were selected and their antifungal activity were studied on 62 clinical strains isolated from VVC. The results showed that cyclic analogs have increased selectivity between fungal cells and keratinocytes and improved anticandidal activity than their linear analogs against both planktonic and biofilm cultures. On the other hand, linear lipopeptides in combination with fluconazole showed the synergistic effect. It was found that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the tested compounds in combination with fluconazole were at least four times lower than when used separately. Our results indicate that combination therapy of VVC with USCLs and fluconazole at low non-toxic concentrations can be beneficial owing to the synergistic effect. However, further in vivo studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Virucidal and antiviral activity of astodrimer sodium against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Authors: Paull Jeremy , Heery Graham , Bobardt Michael , Castellarnau Alex , Luscombe Carolyn , Fairley Jacinth , Gallay Philippe 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
An effective response to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will involve a range of complementary preventive modalities. The current studies were conducted to evaluate the in vitro SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and virucidal activity of astodrimer sodium, a dendrimer with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against enveloped viruses in in vitro and in vivo models, that is marketed for antiviral and antibacterial applications. We report that astodrimer sodium inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, with 50% effective concentrations (EC50) for i) reducing virus-induced cytopathic effect of 0.002 to 0.012 mg/mL in Vero E6 cells, and ii) infectious virus release by plaque assay of 0.019 to 0.032 mg/mL in Vero E6 cells and 0.031 to 0.037 mg/mL in Calu-3 cells. The selectivity index (SI) in these assays was as high as 2197. Astodrimer sodium was also virucidal, reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by >99.9% (>3 log10) within 1 minute of exposure, and up to >99.999% (>5 log10) shown at astodrimer sodium concentrations of 10 to 30 mg/mL in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cell lines. Astodrimer sodium also inhibited infection in a primary human airway epithelial cell line. The data were similar for all investigations and were consistent with the potent antiviral and virucidal activity of astodrimer sodium being due to inhibition of virus-host cell interactions, as previously demonstrated for other viruses. Further studies will confirm if astodrimer sodium binds to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and physically blocks initial attachment of the virus to the host cell. Given the in vitro effectiveness and significantly high SI, astodrimer sodium warrants further investigation for potential as a nasally administered or inhaled antiviral agent for SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment applications.
DNA damage in cumulus cells generated after the vitrification of in vitro matured porcine oocytes and its impact on fertilization and embryo development
Authors: López Alma , Betancourt Miguel , Ducolomb Yvonne , Rodríguez Juan José , Casas Eduardo , Bonilla Edmundo , Bahena Iván , Retana-Márquez Socorro , Juárez-Rojas Lizbeth , Casillas Fahiel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Oocyte vitrification has become an important tool for the improvement of assisted reproduction in humans and other mammalian species. The toxicity and use of high cryoprotectants concentrations have been a limiting factor for cryopreservation success. The evaluation of the DNA damage generated in cumulus cells after mature cumulus-oocyte complexes vitrification can be considered as an indicator of oocyte quality since these cells play important roles in oocyte developmental competence. Alterations produced in these cells could compromise oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if matured cumulus-oocyte complexes exposure to cryoprotectants or vitrification affects both oocytes and cumulus cells viability, but also if DNA damage is generated in cumulus cells, affecting fertilization and embryo development. The DNA damage in cumulus cells was measured using the alkaline comet assay and expressed as Comet Tail Length and Olive Tail Moment. Results demonstrate that oocyte exposure to cryoprotectants or vitrification reduced oocyte and cumulus cells viability compared to control. Also, significantly higher DNA damage was generated in the cumulus cells after exposure to cryoprotectants and vitrification compared to control. In addition, fertilization and embryo development rates also decreased after exposure to cryoprotectants and vitrification. It was also found that fertilization and embryo development rates in granulose-intact oocytes were significantly higher compared to denuded oocytes in the control groups. However, a decline in oocyte fertilization and embryo development to the blastocyst stage was observed after cryoprotectants exposure or vitrification. This could be attributed to the reduction in both cell types viability, and the generation of DNA damage in the cumulus cells. These findings will allow to understand some of the mechanisms of oocyte damage after vitrification, and the search for new vitrification strategies to increase fertilization and embryo development rates.
High-Performance Multifunctional Photodetector and THz Modulator Based on Graphene/TiO2/p-Si Heterojunction
Authors: Jin Lichuan , Wei Miaoqing , Zhang Dainan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Huaiwu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we have prepared a multifunctional device based on graphene/TiO2/p-Si heterojunction and systematically studied the optical response of the device in the ultraviolet-visible-infrared band and the transmission changes of terahertz waves in the 0.3-1.0 THz band under different bias voltages. As a photodetector, the “back-to-back” p-n-p energy band structure makes the device have a serious unbalanced distribution of photogenerated carriers in the vertical direction when light is incident from the graphene side, which ensures a higher optical gain of the device, so as to achieve a responsivity up to 3.6 A/W and a detectability of 4×1013 Jones under 750 nm laser irradiation. As a terahertz modulator, the addition of the TiO2 layer allows the device to continuously widen the carrier depletion region under negative bias, thereby realizing modulation of the terahertz wave, making the modulation depth up to 23% under − 15 V bias. However, there is almost no change in the transmission of the terahertz wave when positive bias is applied. An analogue of an electronic semiconductor diode effect is realized that allows passage of the terahertz wave only for negative bias and blocks the terahertz wave while positively biased.
Casting of recycled aluminum, Al + Cu + Mg alloy formation and lamination process of an electric current conductor
Authors: Holzschuh Gilson Gilmar , Moraes Jorge André Ribas , Garcia Sergio Boscato , Zanesco Izete , Kipper Liane Mallman , Schneider Rosana de Cassia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This research presents a methodology for the recycling process via casting, in which aluminum cans and primary (commercial) aluminum are transformed into a laminated tape, with the possibility of industrial application. This research was classified as bibliographic, exploratory, and experimental, since it used qualitative techniques to evaluate alternative materials. Its objective was to incorporate materials of different properties that could favor the making of a tape to be laminated. In the first casting, a recycled aluminum ingot was formed only with aluminum from beverage cans and had a material yield of 51%. In a second casting, commercial aluminum was added to the recycled aluminum ingot. After the casting process with the two cast materials, the ingot had a yield of 90%. A third casting was conducted together with the aluminum that was already formed by the ingot (50% recycled and 50% commercial). The purpose of this ingot was to incorporate other materials that could provide some characteristics, such as malleability and conductivity. The third casting was made from the second ingot, and incorporated copper and magnesium. For the design of the laminated tape, a cast was made to receive the molten aluminum from the third casting. The aluminum was cast into this mold and three tapes were produced, one with a thickness of 2 mm, another with a thickness of 3 mm and the last with a thickness of 4 mm. With these tapes, the objective was to laminate them in order to reduce their thickness to values ​​close to 0.5 mm. The casting process of aluminum cans with the addition of commercial aluminum, plus the incorporation of copper and magnesium, demonstrated facilities for thickness reduction in the process of making laminated tapes.
On the order of the non-primes of type 6n+5 and 6n+1
Authors: Wolmersdorfer Christoph 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The fundamental importance of prime numbers for mathematics is that all other natural numbers can be represented as a unique product of prime numbers[1]. For centuries, mathematicians have been trying to find an order in the occurrence of prime numbers. Since Riemann´s paper on the number of primes under a given size, the distribution of the primes is assumed to be random[2]. Here, I show that prime numbers are not randomly distributed. Their positions are determined by the order of occurrence of the nonprimes of types 6n+5 and 6n+1. By using parametric sine functions, I will show here that all assumptions known today regarding the distribution of prime numbers larger than 3 are wrong. In particular, this refutes Riemann´s hypothesis of random distribution of prime numbers. Furthermore, I will show an exact primality test based on these parametric sine functions, which only needs the calculation modes +, -, · , : and only uses one parameter. There is no such deterministic primality test existing until today[3] [4].