bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Composite Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Saving
Authors: Zhang Guanhua , Guo Yuqian , Liu Zhiqiang , Lu Wei , Yan Xiaoyu , Du Yanping 
Published: September 2021

Composites composed of paraffin wax and copper foam with porosity of 95 % and pore density of 15 ppi, 30 ppi, and 50 ppi were prepared by the melt impregnation method. Two building models of the same size were made using gypsum board. The roof of the experimental model was covered with 50ppi copper foam /paraffin composite phase change board, and the roof of the reference model was covered with foam insulation board. The heat transfer experiment was conducted with a constant heat flux. EnergyPlus software was also employed to simulate the energy saving effects of the building models. The size and material of the model established during the simulation are consistent with the experimental model. Experimental results showed that the phase change composite board delayed the highest indoor temperature for 1.5 h, and it also reduced the indoor maximum temperature by 1.2° and the indoor energy consumption by 21 %. The simulation results showed that the phase change composites board delayed the appearance of the highest indoor temperature by 1.3 h and reduced the highest indoor temperature by 1.1°C, and the maximum indoor energy consumption decreased by 19 %. The copper foam/paraffin composite material can effectively improve the thermal comfort and reduce the energy consumption of the building model.
The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science “Mosquito Mappers” Virtual Internship: Outcomes of Place-Based Engagement with Citizen Science
Authors: Cho Holly , Low Russanne D. , Fischer Heather A. , Storksdieck Martin 
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we describe a virtual high school earth science enhancement program that embeds a citizen science experience within a scientist-mentored research internship. We demonstrate the success of the program as measured by knowledge of pertinent science concepts and processes, and changes in future career orientation, and explore the role of place-based citizen science in interns’ experience of their research projects. The STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Mosquito Mappers Virtual Internship connected high school interns with research opportunities applying NASA Earth Observations to the global health threat of mosquito-vector borne diseases. The interns engaged in 120–150 h of research working closely with NASA subject matter expert mentors, and making use of the GLOBE Observer citizen science infrastructure to collect and analyse data. In the virtual format, interns were able to participate in activities synchronously or asynchronously through an online learning platform, web conferencing software and social media. Students developed and completed either an independent or small team research project leveraging data collected using the place-based citizen science mobile application, GLOBE Observer. We found that participants were motivated by conducting fieldwork in and around their communities using the GLOBE Observer app. Local fieldwork enabled the student researchers to apply their prior knowledge of their natural and built landscapes, while also contributing to the reduction of mosquito-borne disease risk in their communities. This finding highlights the benefit of coupling citizen science to a virtual internship. Interns shared that their interest in research, and research in the earth sciences specifically, increased as a result of participating in the internship program. By leveraging citizen science data collection and reporting tools, existing data, and analysis tools, the program represented a robust, cost effective research experience conducted in a virtual environment, lowering barriers to participation and broadening access to STEM enhancement opportunities for all.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Ni-Al Bronze Parts Using Cold Metal Transfer Process
Authors: Wang Rongcheng , Zhao Yang , Chang Qing , Yin Fengshi , Wang Xiaoming , Wang Wenyu , Ren Zhiqiang , Han Guofeng 
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the SG-CuAl8Ni6 Ni-Al bronze straight wall were studied, which was fabricated by the cold metal transfer (CMT) arc additive manufacturing technology. This Ni-Al bronze cladding layer of SG-CuAl8Ni6 is composed mainly of α-Cu, residual β phase, rich Pb phase and κ phase. The microstructure of this multilayer single-channel Ni-Al bronze straight wall circulating presents the overall periodic law, which changes from fine cellular crystals, columnar crystals to dendritic crystals with the increase of the distance from the substrate. The Vickers hardness value of the Ni-Al bronze straight wall decreases with the distance of substrate are between 155 and 185 HV0.5. The microhardness and elastic modulus of the Ni-Al bronze specimen are 1.57 times and 1.99 times higher than these of the brass matrix, respectively. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the straight wall in the welding direction and 45° downward-sloping is greater than that of about 550 MPa in the stacking direction, and the elongation value in the welding direction is the highest. With the increase in interlayer temperature, the grain size increased gradually, and the tensile strength decreases slightly.
Epidemiology, Mortality and Healthcare Resource Utilization Associated With Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease in France
Authors: Cottin Vincent , Larrieu Sophie , Boussel Loic , Si-Mohamed Salim , Bazin Fabienne , Marque Sébastien , Massol Jacques , Thivolet-Bejui Françoise , Chalabreysse Lara , Maucort-Boulch Delphine , Jouneau Stéphane , Hachulla Eric , Chollet Julien , Nasser Mouhamad 
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics, epidemiology, survival estimates and healthcare resource utilization and associated costs in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in France.Methods: The French national administrative healthcare database, the Système National des Données de Santé (SNDS), includes data on 98.8% of the French population, including data relating to ambulatory care, hospitalizations and death. In our study, claims data from the SNDS were used to identify adult patients with SSc-ILD between 2010 and 2017. We collected data on clinical features, incidence, prevalence, survival estimates, healthcare resource use and costs.Results: In total, 3,333 patients with SSc-ILD were identified, 76% of whom were female. Patients had a mean age [standard deviation (SD)] of 60.6 (14.4) years and a mean (SD) individual study duration of 3.9 (2.7) years. In 2016, the estimated overall incidence and prevalence were 0.69/100,000 individuals and 5.70/100,000 individuals, respectively. The overall survival estimates of patients using Kaplan–Meier estimation were 93, 82, and 55% at 1, 3, and 8 years, respectively. During the study, 98.7% of patients had ≥1 hospitalization and 22.3% of patients were hospitalized in an intensive care unit. The total annual mean healthcare cost per patient with SSc-ILD was €25,753, of which €21,539 was related to hospitalizations.Conclusions: This large, real-world longitudinal study provides important insights into the epidemiology of SSc-ILD in France and shows that the disease is associated with high mortality, healthcare resource utilization and costs. SSc-ILD represents a high burden on both patients and healthcare services.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03858842.
Comparison Between Nylon and Polyglactin Sutures in Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Melega Mathias V. , dos Reis Roberto , Lira Rodrigo Pessoa Cavalcanti , de Oliveira Denise Fornazari , Arieta Carlos Eduardo Leite , Alves Monica 
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To compare the performance of nylon sutures to that of polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery.Setting: University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, BrazilDesign: A prospective, randomized, partially masked, single-site clinical trial. (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03812640).Methods: A total of 80 eyes from 80 patients who underwent pediatric cataract surgery were randomized into two groups in block sizes of four. Group A consisted of 41 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with polyglactin 10-0 material. Group B consisted of 39 patients whose surgical incisions were sutured with nylon 10-0 material. The primary outcome was frequency of suture-related complications in each group. Secondary outcomes were the frequency with which suture removal was necessary.Results: The incidence of suture-related complications within 6 months of follow up was 0 out of 41 eyes (0.00%) in the polyglactin group and 17 out of 39 eyes (43.59%) in the nylon control group (p &lt; 0.001). In all of the eyes with suture-related complications, the sutures were promptly removed. The most frequent complications were vascularization near the suture (17.95%) and loose sutures (17.95%). No ocular or systemic study-related adverse events were observed.Conclusions: Polyglactin sutures were found to be safe and effective for pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery. Their lower rate of complications and reduced likelihood of removal (and the subsequent need for general anesthesia) make their use preferrable to that of nylon sutures. This study represents the first controlled randomized clinical trial to compare nylon sutures to polyglactin sutures in pediatric patients undergoing cataract surgery.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/, Identifier: NCT03812640.
Selenium-Enriched Lactobacillus acidophilus Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Chronic Colitis in Mice by Regulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Wu Zeyu , Pan Dan , Jiang Min , Sang Lixuan , Chang Bing 
Published: September 2021

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Selenium-enriched Lactobacillus acidophilus (Se-enriched L. acidophilus) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.Methods: Mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a control + Se-enriched L. acidophilus group, a chronic colitis group, and a chronic colitis + Se-enriched L. acidophilus group (n = 10 each group). The mice were sacrificed on the 26th day. The disease activity index, survival rates, and histological injury score were determined. Cytokines produced by lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs), the selenium (Se) concentrations in serum and colon tissue and the mouse intestinal microbiota were evaluated.Results: Se-enriched L. acidophilus can improve histological injury and the disease activity index in mice with chronic colitis and reduce IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-23, IFN-γ, IL-17A, and IL-21 (P &lt; 0.05) and increase IL-10 (P &lt; 0.05) expression levels. Moreover, Se-enriched L. acidophilus can increase the β diversity of intestinal microbiota in mice with chronic colitis, significantly reduce the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Romboutsia (P &lt; 0.05), and significantly increase the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Se-enriched L. acidophilus can improve DSS-induced chronic colitis by regulating inflammatory cytokines and intestinal microbiota.
The Effects of Modest Alcohol Consumption on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wongtrakul Wasit , Niltwat Sorachat , Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai 
Published: September 2021

Background and Objective: There is no consensus regarding modest alcohol consumption in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of modest alcohol consumption on histological severity, histological course, hepatocellular carcinoma, and long-term clinical outcomes in NAFLD patients.Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to October 2020 for studies evaluating the effects of modest alcohol consumption among patients with NAFLD. A random-effects meta-analysis using pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Results: Fourteen cross-sectional or cohort studies with aggregate data on 14,435 patients were included in the analysis. Modest alcohol consumption resulted in lower risks for steatohepatitis (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.45–0.78; I2 = 12%) and advanced fibrosis (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36–0.95; I2 = 75%). Histological follow-up data showed that modest alcohol use was associated significantly with less steatohepatitis resolution but not with fibrosis progression. The HR for developing hepatocellular carcinoma was 3.77 (95% CI 1.75–8.15; I2 = 0%). NAFLD patients with modest alcohol intake had a lower mortality risk than lifelong abstainers (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.75–0.95; I2 = 64%).Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that medical advice for modest alcohol drinking should be made cautiously in caring for an individual patient based on the clinical context. Practically, patients with steatohepatitis or advanced fibrosis should avoid alcohol use, whereas patients with low fibrosis risk may be allowed for modest and safe drinking.
The Relationship Between Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Left Atrial Phasic Function in Hypertensive Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Tabata Tsuyoshi , Shimizu Kazuhiro , Morinaga Yukihiro , Tanji Naoaki , Yoshida Ruiko , Iwakawa Masahiro , Kiyokawa Hajime , Takada Nobuo 
Published: September 2021

Background: To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness, reflected by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) value, and left atrial (LA) phasic function in hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods: We retrospectively studied 165 consecutive patients (mean age, 66.5 ± 11.7 years) diagnosed with hypertension with preserved LVEF who had undergone CAVI measurement and echocardiography on the same day. The latter included speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LA phasic function (reservoir, conduit, and pump strain) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS).Results: The results of univariate analysis showed CAVI value to be correlated with LA reservoir strain and LA conduit strain (r = −0.387 and −0.448, respectively; both P &lt; 0.0001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed CAVI value to be independently related to age (β = 0.241, P = 0.002) and LA conduit strain (β = −0.386, P = 0.021) but not LV mass index, LA volume index, or LV systolic function (including LVGLS).Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF, increased CAVI value appears to be independently associated with impaired LA phasic function (particularly LA conduit function) before LA and LV remodeling. CAVI determination to assess arterial stiffness may be useful in the early detection of interactions between cardiovascular abnormalities in hypertensive patients.
Therapeutic Effects of an Inhibitor of Thioredoxin Reductase on Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smads Pathway
Authors: Jiao Wenxuan , Bai Man , Yin Hanwei , Liu Jiayi , Sun Jing , Su Xiaoxia , Zeng Huihui , Wen Jinhua 
Published: September 2021

Liver fibrosis is an important stage in the progression of liver injury into cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagens in liver fibrosis. Butaselen (BS), which was previously synthesized by our group, is an organic selenium compound that exerts antioxidant and tumor cell apoptosis–promoting effects by inhibiting the thioredoxin (Trx)/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of BS on liver fibrosis and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of its action. Liver fibrosis models were established using male BALB/c mice through intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. BS was administered orally once daily at a dose of 36, 90, or 180 mg/kg. Silymarin (Si), which is a drug used for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg per day as a control. The action mechanisms of BS against liver fibrosis progression were examined in HSCs. The study revealed that the activity and expression levels of TrxR were elevated in the mouse liver and serum after CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Oral administration of BS relieved the pathological state of mice with liver fibrosis, showing significant therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. Moreover, BS not only induced HSC apoptosis but also inhibited the production of α-SMA and collagens by HSCs by downregulating the TGF-β1 expression and blocking the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. The results of the study indicated that BS inhibited liver fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads pathway.
Proteomic Analysis of Cardiac Adaptation to Exercise by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Al-Menhali Afnan Saleh , Anderson Cali , Gourine Alexander V. , Abramov Andrey Y. , D’Souza Alicia , Jaganjac Morana 
Published: September 2021

Regular exercise has many health benefits, among which is a significant reduction of cardiovascular risk. Although many beneficial effects of exercise are well described, the exact mechanisms by which exercise confers cardiovascular benefits are yet to be fully understood. In the current study, we have used high resolution mass spectrometry to determine the proteomic responses of the heart to exercise training in mice. The impact of exercise-induced oxidative stress on modifications of cardiomyocyte proteins with lipid peroxidation biomarker 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was examined as well. Fourteen male mice were randomized into the control (sedentary) group and the exercise group that was subjected to a swim exercise training program for 5 days a week for 5 months. Proteins were isolated from the left ventricular tissue, fractionated and digested for shotgun proteomics. Peptides were separated by nanoliquid chromatography and analyzed on an Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometer using high-energy collision–induced dissociation and electron transfer dissociation fragmentation. We identified distinct ventricular protein signatures established in response to exercise training. Comparative proteomics identified 23 proteins that were upregulated and 37 proteins that were downregulated with exercise, in addition to 65 proteins that were identified only in ventricular tissue samples of exercised mice. Most of the proteins specific to exercised mice are involved in respiratory electron transport and/or implicated in glutathione conjugation. Additionally, 10 proteins were found to be modified with 4-HNE. This study provides new data on the effects of exercise on the cardiac proteome and contributes to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on the heart.
Altered Patterns of Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations and Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations Between Amnestic and Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment: An ALE-Based Comparative Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xulian , Xue Chen , Cao Xuan , Yuan Qianqian , Qi Wenzhang , Xu Wenwen , Zhang Shaojun , Huang Qingling 
Published: September 2021

Background: Changes in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) have provided stronger evidence for the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment. Whether the altered patterns of ALFF and fALFF differ in amnestic cognitive impairment (aMCI) and vascular mild cognitive impairment (vMCI) is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the ALFF/fALFF changes in the two diseases and to further explore whether they contribute to the diagnosis and differentiation of these diseases.Methods: We searched PubMed, Ovid, and Web of Science databases for articles on studies using the ALFF/fALFF method in patients with aMCI and vMCI. Based on the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method, connectivity modeling based on coordinate meta-analysis and functional meta-analysis was carried out.Results: Compared with healthy controls (HCs), patients with aMCI showed increased ALFF/fALFF in the bilateral parahippocampal gyrus/hippocampus (PHG/HG), right amygdala, right cerebellum anterior lobe (CAL), left middle temporal gyrus (MTG), left cerebrum temporal lobe sub-gyral, left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), and left cerebrum limbic lobe uncus. Meanwhile, decreased ALFF/fALFF values were also revealed in the bilateral precuneus (PCUN), bilateral cuneus (CUN), and bilateral posterior cingulate (PC) in patients with aMCI. Compared with HCs, patients with vMCI predominantly showed decreased ALFF/fALFF in the bilateral CUN, left PCUN, left PC, and right cingulate gyrus (CG).Conclusions: The present findings suggest that ALFF and fALFF displayed remarkable altered patterns between aMCI and vMCI when compared with HCs. Thus, the findings of this study may serve as a reliable tool for distinguishing aMCI from vMCI, which may help understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of these diseases.
Comparison of Behavior-Related Features in the MMSE Sentence in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ruiz-Garcia Ramiro , Yu Soojung , Richardson Lauryn , Roberts Angela , Pasternak Stephen , Stewart Chloe , Finger Elizabeth 
Published: September 2021

Background: Despite the ubiquity of cognitive assessments using the MMSE, there has been little investigation of currently unscored features of the MMSE sentence item relevant to behavior and language in patients with behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Objective: To describe and compare the unscored content and grammar elements of the MMSE sentence item in patients with bvFTD and AD.Methods: Categorization of predefined content and grammar elements of the MMSE sentence was performed by two blinded raters in patients with bvFTD (n = 74) and AD (n = 84). Chi-square and ANCOVAs were conducted to identify differences between the diagnostic groups. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine whether these features aid in the prediction of diagnosis of bvFTD or AD.Results: A higher proportion of patients with bvFTD wrote sentences addressed to the examiner (22.7% vs. 4.7%, X2 = 11.272, p = 0.001) and about interpersonal relationships (35.3% vs. 16.0%, X2 = 10.139, p = 0.017) in comparison to those with AD. The number of words written was lower in patients with AD and was positively correlated with lower total MMSE scores in AD but not in bvFTD (AD: r = 0.370, p &lt; 0.001; FTD: r = 0.209, p = 0.07). Assessment of the MMSE sentence content and grammar variables did not add to the prediction bvFTD or AD diagnosis beyond the variance explained by age and total MoCA score.Conclusions: Patients with bvFTD and AD showed differences in aspects of the content of the written MMSE sentence item, though these differences did not aid in the diagnosis prediction.