bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between lung function decline and skeletal muscle and fat mass changes: a longitudinal study in healthy individuals
Authors: Park Han‐Ki , Lee So‐Hee , Lee Suh‐Young , Kim Sun‐Sin , Park Heung‐Woo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe associations between long‐term changes in body mass composition and decline in lung function in healthy adults are unknown.MethodsUsing a well‐defined health check‐up database, we first assessed individual longitudinal changes in muscle mass (MM) and fat mass (FM) measured via bioelectrical impedance analyses. Then we classified the enrolled individuals into five body composition groups according to their MM index (MMI) [MM (kg)/height (m)2] or FM index (FMI) [FM (kg)/height (m)2] change rate quartiles. Linear mixed models adjusted for age, smoking status, height, and body mass index were used to analyse the rate of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline and body composition groups.ResultsA total of 15 476 middle‐aged individuals (6088 women [mean age ± standard deviation: 50.74 ± 7.44] and 9388 men [mean age ± standard deviation: 49.36 ± 6.99]) were enrolled. The mean number of measurements was 6.96 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5–9) over an average follow‐up period of 8.95 years (IQR: 6.73–11.10). Decrease in MMI was significantly associated with accelerated FEV1 decline in men only (P = 1.7 × 10−9), while increase in FMI was significantly associated with accelerated FEV1 decline in both women and men (P = 7.9 × 10−10 and P < 2.0 × 10−16 respectively). Linear mixed model analyses indicated that annual increase of 0.1 kg/m2 in MMI was related to accelerated FEV1 decline by 30.79 mL/year (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.10 to 35.48 mL/year) in men. Annual increase of 0.1 kg/m2 in FMI was related to accelerated FEV1 decline by 59.65 mL/year in men (95% CI: 56.84 to 62.28 mL/year) and by 22.84 mL/year in women (95% CI: 18.95 to 26.74 mL/year). In body composition analysis, we found increase in MMI was significantly associated with attenuated FEV1 decline in men only (P = 1.7 × 10−9), while increase in FMI was significantly associated with accelerated FEV1 decline in both women and men (P = 7.9 × 10−10 and P < 2.0 × 10−16 respectively). Individuals characterized with gain MM combined with loss of FM were associated with the most favourable outcome (i.e. the smallest rate of decline in FEV1) in both women and men. In men, loss of FM over time is more closely related with attenuated FEV1 decline than change in MM (gain or loss).ConclusionsChange in body composition over time can be used to identify healthy middle‐aged individuals at high risk for rapid FEV1 decline.
Population dynamics of nitrifying sludge supplemented with 2‐chlorophenol in SBR reactors
Authors: Martínez‐Jardines Miguel , González‐Robles Rosa O , González‐Márquez H , Texier Anne‐Claire , Cuervo‐López Flor de María 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe metabolic improvement and reduction of the inhibitory effect of 2‐chlorophenol (2‐CP) on the nitrification process occurring in nitrifying SBR systems can be associated with changes in the microbial community. The physiologic, kinetic, and microbial population behaviors of two nitrifying sludges were evaluated in two parallel sequencing batch reactors (SBR1 and SBR2) amended with 2‐CP. Seven cycles were performed with 20 to 60 mg 2‐CP‐C/L.RESULTSAmmonium‐oxidizing and nitrite‐oxidizing processes were physiologically disturbed in SBR1 and SBR2 due to increased 2‐CP concentrations, attaining ammonium consumption efficiencies (ENH4+‐N) and nitrate yields (YNO3−‐N) as low as 38% and 0.32 mg NO3−‐N/mg NH4+‐N consumed, respectively. Nevertheless, in cycle 7, both sludges recovered their physiological capacities, as ENH4+‐N of 100% and YNO3−‐N > 0.94 mg NO3−‐N/mg NH4+‐N consumed were achieved in both nitrifying processes. Increase in 2‐CP concentration also affected the kinetics of nitrification processes, wherein a higher inhibition on the specific rate of ammonium‐oxidizing process was observed. Despite the increase in 2‐CP concentration, no predominance of species was noted, as the bacterial community evenness index remained above 0.97, whereas the richness index increased along with SBR operation.CONCLUSIONThe stable, complete, and efficient nitrifying process achieved in both SBRs could be related to the higher bacterial community richness and to the regular maintenance of ammonium and nitrite oxidizing bacteria tolerant to 2‐CP along experimentation. Total 2‐CP consumption might be associated with ammonium‐oxidizing and/or heterotrophic bacteria related to Nitrosospira, Luteimonas, and Cohnella. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Homozygous sickle cell disease related mortality in Senegal (2011–2020)
Authors: Seck Moussa , Ba Oumou , Faye Blaise Felix , Touré Sokhna Aissatou , Guèye Youssou Bamar , Dieng Nata , Sall Abibatou , Gadji Macoura , Touré Awa Oumar , Diop Saliou 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHomozygous sickle cell disease (HSCD) is characterized by multiorgan morbidity and an increased risk of early death. We aim to describe the mortality rate, causes, and risk factors of death in HSCD between 2011 and 2020. We conducted a retrospective study with a duration of 10 years in the cohort of 2348 HSCD patients. The mortality rate was determined by reporting the number of deaths to the total number of patients followed in the year. Sociodemographic, clinical, biological data and causes of death were studied. Death risk factors were determined by a bivariate analysis comparing deceased and living HSCD patients. The mean age of death was 26 years (3–52). The sex ratio was 1.2. The mortality rate was 2.76%. The death rate was high in 2011 (3.2%) and low in 2020 (0.17%). We observed a significant reduction of mortality of 94.6%. Most of the common causes of death were acute anemia (40%), acute chest syndrome (24.6%), and infections (20%). Risk factors of death were age, vaso‐occlusive crises ≥3, acute chest syndrome, blood transfusion, and chronic complications. Mortality among HSCD has significantly decreased over the past 10 years in Senegal, and the main causes of death were acute anemia, acute chest syndrome, and infections.
The hybrid skull of the eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.): Nonmetric traits and craniomandibular shape
Authors: Zdjelar Natasa , Nagendran Lavania , Kendall Christopher , Ackermann Rebecca Rogers , Schroeder Lauren 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe increasing awareness that hybridization, and resultant gene flow, plays a major role in animal diversification has led to a growing number of studies that have focused on assessing the morphological consequences of this process. Analyses of mammalian hybrids have identified skeletal effects of hybridization, including a suite of anomalous dental and sutural traits on the skull that are present at high frequencies in hybrid populations. These studies have also detected consistent patterns of morphological shape and size differences between hybrids and parental taxa across a wide variety of organisms. However, more research is required to understand the universality of these traits and shape/size differences. Building on these previous studies, a sample of genetically determined canid hybrids was examined, specifically the eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.), a hybrid between coyotes, wolves, and dogs, to test whether this group exhibits a comparable pattern of anomalous nonmetric characters, and to assess differences in craniomandibular shape and size. First, specimens of C. latrans var., C. latrans, and C. lupus were scored for anomalous traits, including supernumerary and rotated teeth, dental crowding, and sutural anomalies. Geometric morphometric analyses were then conducted on a subset of these individuals to explore craniomandibular size and shape variation, as well as allometry. The results are largely consistent with other studies, indicating that the incidence of dental anomalies, dental crowding, and sutural anomalies is significantly higher in hybrids. However, differences are not significant for supernumerary teeth. The exploration of morphometric variation identifies intermediate morphology in the hybrids, and some indication of greater morphological variability in the mandible. When these results are combined with previous studies, they suggest that skeletal signatures of hybridization are common to different mammalian taxa across multiple generations; however, some traits such as supernumerary teeth may be lost after a few generations.
Phonon anharmonicity in bulk ZrTe5
Authors: Xu Lihuan , Wang Wei , Xie Qiyun , Hu Chengxiang , Chen Limin , Zheng Jiajin , Yin Handi , Cheng Guofeng , Ai Xiaoqian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe study of phonon scattering processes is urgent for advancing the thermoelectric material with low thermal conductivity for commercial application. In this work, Raman scattering spectroscopy is utilized to quantify the temperature dependence of vibrational modes in ZrTe5 crystals, which enables the investigation on anharmonic contributions. We mainly focus on the temperature range from 80 up to 400 K due to noticeable surface oxidation at higher temperature. The phonon behaviors can be fully described by the model considering two mechanisms of the lattice thermal expansion effects and intrinsic anharmonicity. The four‐phonon processes are non‐negligible and even stronger than the three‐phonon processes at high temperature. The phonon lifetime is greatly reduced by the enhancement of phonon scattering, contributing to the low thermal conductivity in ZrTe5 single crystals.
The preoperative machine learning algorithm for extremity metastatic disease can predict 90‐day and 1‐year survival: An external validation study
Authors: Skalitzky Mary Kate , Gulbrandsen Trevor R. , Groot Olivier Q. , Karhade Aditya V. , Verlaan Jorrit‐Jan , Schwab Joseph H. , Miller Benjamin J. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe prediction of survival is valuable to optimize treatment of metastatic long‐bone disease. The Skeletal Oncology Research Group (SORG) machine‐learning (ML) algorithm has been previously developed and internally validated. The purpose of this study was to determine if the SORG ML algorithm accurately predicts 90‐day and 1‐year survival in an external metastatic long‐bone disease patient cohort.MethodsA retrospective review of 264 patients who underwent surgery for long‐bone metastases between 2003 and 2019 was performed. Variables used in the stochastic gradient boosting SORG algorithm were age, sex, primary tumor type, visceral/brain metastases, systemic therapy, and 10 preoperative laboratory values. Model performance was calculated by discrimination, calibration, and overall performance.ResultsThe SORG ML algorithms retained good discriminative ability (area under the cure [AUC]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76–0.88 for 90‐day mortality and AUC: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.79–0.88 for 1‐year mortality), calibration, overall performance, and decision curve analysis.ConclusionThe previously developed ML algorithms demonstrated good performance in the current study, thereby providing external validation. The models were incorporated into an accessible application (https://sorg-apps.shinyapps.io/extremitymetssurvival/) that may be freely utilized by clinicians in helping predict survival for individual patients and assist in informative decision‐making discussion before operative management of long bone metastatic lesions.
An AIE‐Active Ultrathin Polymeric Self‐Assembled Monolayer Sensor for Trace Volatile Explosive Detection
Authors: Li Mingliang , Xie Kefeng , Wang Guozhi , Zheng Jing , Cao Yingnan , Cheng Xiang , Li Ziwei , Wei Feng , Tu Hailing , Tang Jinyao 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis work has prepared polymeric self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) sensors for the detection of trace volatile nitroaromatic compound (NAC) explosives by fluorescence quenching. A typical aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) luminogen 1,1,2,2‐tetraphenylethene (TPE) polymerizes into PTPE to increase the fluorescence intensity in the SAMs, and the phosphoric acid acts as the anchor group to form stable covalent bonds with the Al2O3 substrate. This design takes advantage of the high sensitivity and good stability of SAMs, and high fluorescence intensity, and “wire effect” of the conjugated polymers. The polymeric SAM sensors are prepared on the Al2O3 silicon wafer and testing paper. Both of them show good response speed, reversibility, selectivity, and sensitivity. The detection limits down to 0.07, 0.35, and 4.11 ppm for TNT, DNB, and NB, respectively, are achieved on the inorganic testing paper. Furthermore, due to the higher fluorescence intensity by interlacing and overlapping of fibers, the detection of the paper can be distinguished by naked eyes even with a low‐power handheld UV lamp, which provides an experimental basis for the development of cheap and easy trace NAC explosive sensors.
Liberating photoinhibition through nongenetic drainage of electrons from photosynthesis
Authors: Wang Wangyin , Li Dingyi , Cao Xupeng , Xue Song , Li Can 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLight is the prerequisite for photosynthesis. However, excess light flux higher than the light‐saturation point gives rise to photoinhibition or photodamage. To efficiently utilize the excess energy under the light saturation is a long‐standing issue of photosynthesis. Herein, we found an electron drainage channel using artificial redox shuttle as a nongenetic tool to direct excessive electron transfer from chloroplast of microalgae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) to extracellular redox reactions. Guiding the excess electrons to the outside cell enhanced water oxidation activity of photosystem II by 2.6‐fold and increased the light saturation point by 7.1‐fold. Intrinsic quantum yield and electron transfer rate of photosystems (PSII and PSI) were also in response to an increased light flux, due to the liberation of the initial photoinhibition. The electrons drained from photosynthesis served as the reducing equivalents for extracellular synthesis of chemicals. This work sheds light on the nature of photosynthetic electron transportation and distribution in a light‐saturated state of microalgae through a nongenetic drainage of electron for extracellular chemical synthesis.Key points
An electron drainage channel was developed using artificial redox mediator to liberate the photoinhibition of microalgal photosynthesis.
Guiding the excess photosynthetic electrons to the outside cell enhanced water oxidation activity of photosystem II and increased the light saturation point.
Electrons from photosynthesis with the reducing power can be used for extracellular synthesis of chemicals.
Evaluating Education Governance: Does State Takeover of School Districts Affect Student Achievement?
Authors: Schueler Beth E. , Bleiberg Joshua F. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractLocal school boards have primary authority for running educational systems in the U.S., but little is known empirically about the merits of this arrangement. State takeovers of struggling districts represent a rare alternative form of educational governance and have become an increasingly common response to low performance. However, limited research explores whether this effectively improves student outcomes. We track all takeovers nationwide from the late 1980s, when the first takeovers occurred, through 2016 and describe takeover districts. While these districts are low performing, we find academic performance plays less of a role in predicting takeover for districts serving larger concentrations of African American students. We then use a new data source allowing for cross‐state comparisons of student outcomes to estimate the effect of takeovers that occurred between 2011 and 2016. On average, we find no evidence that takeover generates academic benefits. Takeover appears to be disruptive in the early years of takeover, particularly to English Language Arts achievement, although the longer‐term effects are less clear. We also observe considerable heterogeneity of effects across districts. Takeovers were least effective in districts with higher baseline achievement and least harmful in majority‐Hispanic communities. Leaders should be cautious about using state takeover without considering local context and a better understanding of why some takeovers are more effective than others.
The Trade‐Off Between Work and Education: Evidence from Public Transportation Penetration to Arab Towns in Israel
Authors: Abu‐Qarn Aamer , Lichtman‐Sadot Shirlee 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDisadvantaged communities are often geographically segregated from employment and higher education opportunities. Increasing access can entail substantial welfare gains, but this can also affect the trade‐off faced by young adults between investing in higher education and working for pay. We evaluate the introduction of bus services to Arab towns in Israel, which substantially and differentially increased access either to work only or to work and higher education opportunities among a disadvantaged population. Exploiting the variation that different bus line connections created in the cost of accessing higher education institutions, we find that young adult male responses are consistent with a trade‐off between investing in higher education and working for pay. For females, our results are less clear‐cut and while there is evidence of responses in terms of the probability of currently studying, we do not observe sufficiently concise labor market responses. Our results demonstrate the importance of accounting for potential reductions in educational attainment when expanding work opportunities to disadvantaged communities.
Restoration of erectile function by a combination of antiapoptosis by JNK inhibitor and preservation of smooth muscle or endothelium by hepatocyte growth factor in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury
Authors: Kim Soo Woong , Lee Junghoon , Oh Sohee , Son Hwancheol , Cho Min Chul 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundBecause of structural alterations in the corpus cavernosum after radical prostatectomy (RP), post‐RP erectile dysfunction remains a very difficult condition to treat. We aimed to determine if the combined administration of a Jun‐amino terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the immediate post‐injury period would restore erectile function by antiapoptotic and pro‐regenerative effects through the rectification of molecular pathways related to the structural integrity of the penis in a rat model of bilateral cavernosal nerve crush injury (CNCI).MethodsA total of 70 rats were divided into five groups: Sham surgery (S), CNCI (I), and once‐daily intraperitoneal administration of 10.0 mg/kg JNK inhibitor + twice‐weekly intracavernosal administration of low‐dose (2.1 μg), medium‐dose (4.2 μg), or high‐dose (8.4 μg) HGF (I + J + LH or I + J + MH or I + J + HH, respectively) in the immediate post‐injury period. Erectile responses to electrostimulation (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 V), histological staining, caspase‐3 activity, and Western blotting were evaluated 9 days after surgery.ResultsGroup I showed lower intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) after stimulation at each voltage, lower area under the curve (AUC)/MAP after stimulation at each voltage, less smooth muscle (SM) content, a lower SM/collagen ratio, higher caspase‐3 activity, increased cJun phosphorylation, decreased protein expression of PECAM‐1, decreased cMet phosphorylation, and decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation compared to Group S. The SM content, SM/collagen ratio, protein expression of ICP/MAP, or AUC/MAP after stimulation at each voltage in Group I + J + LH were partially restored, despite the normalization of cJun phosphorylation and caspase‐3 activity. The ICP/MAP, AUC/MAP, caspase‐3 activity, SM content, protein expression of PECAM‐1, cJun phosphorylation, cMet phosphorylation, and eNOS phosphorylation in both Groups I + J + MH and I + J + HH were restored to the levels observed in Group S, while the SM/collagen ratio was significantly improved but not completely normalized.ConclusionsOur data indicated that the combined administration of a JNK inhibitor and medium or high‐dose HGF to nerve‐injured rats in the immediate post‐injury period after CNCI may restore erectile function to a level comparable to the normal level by suppressing cavernosal apoptosis and preserving the integrity of SM or endothelium via rectification of the cJun and cMet/eNOS pathways.
Analytical method for the evaluation of the residual service life of prestressed concrete beams subjected to corrosion deterioration
Authors: Franceschini Lorenzo , Vecchi Francesca , Belletti Beatrice , Andrade Carmen , Peiretti Hugo‐Corres 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSince catastrophic failures caused by corrosion deterioration have been observed worldwide, nowadays a key research topic consists in the reliable prediction of the long‐term performance of corroded reinforced concrete structures. In this article, firstly, a refined model for the assessment of the residual service life of prestressed concrete (PC) beams has been presented. The analytical model, according to the most recent formulations proposed in the scientific literature, allows to take into account the effects induced by corrosion over time in the calculation of bending, shear, and anchorage resistances. Secondly, a case study concerning a PC beam without transversal reinforcement, exposed to wet‐dry cycles using seawater, has been presented considering the spatial variability of corrosion. To this aim, a constant and a varying spatial distribution of corrosion have been assumed. Finally, the residual service life values, evaluated according to the two assumed spatial distributions of corrosion in strands, have been compared. The proposed model can be used for the prediction of the possible failure modes of PC beams over time, considering both the reduction of the mechanical properties of the prestressing steel and the bond degradation due to corrosion deterioration according to recent experimental evidence.
Conformity control of concrete durability parameters and its filtering effect on the design service life
Authors: Vereecken Eline , Caspeele Robby 
Published: October 2021

AbstractConformity control is applied in order to safeguard the quality of produced lots. Conformity criteria are characterized by an operating characteristic curve, quantifying the probability of acceptance in relation to a concrete lot with a specific quality. By applying conformity control, certain lots of concrete are accepted or rejected. This induces a filtering effect, which in case of conformity control of durability parameters leads to an effect on the design service life. For durability, limiting values for durability‐related properties can be proposed. Specifying conformity criteria for the durability parameters of concrete can enable to safeguard the quality of concrete products in relation to durability. This conformity control has a filtering effect on the distribution of these durability parameters. When, for example, considering the diffusion coefficient of concrete, this filtering effect results in a lower mean value and standard deviation, consequently (positively) influencing the service life. In this paper, conformity criteria for durability parameters are developed, and their effect on the design service life of reinforced concrete elements is quantified.