bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends of nutrients and metals in precipitation in northern Germany: the role of emissions and meteorology
Authors: Lorenz Malte , Brunke Matthias 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe analyzed the precipitation chemistry for a maritime region in northern Germany (Schleswig–Holstein) from 1997 to 2017 in order to reveal temporal and spatial patterns and to evaluate the role of meteorological factors relative to emission reductions in Germany and Europe. Therefore, we applied several statistical methods such as time series decomposition, principal component, and redundancy analysis. We extracted two main groups: (i) a marine group (Cl, Na, Mg) that was related to natural processes like sea spray input and (ii) an anthropogenic group (Pb, Cd, As, Zn, and nitrogen species) with a terrestrial subgroup (Fe, Al, Mn), which were both related to emissions. These groups were valid for the spatial, seasonal, and annual trend data. Other elements, like Ca, K, total P, and sulfate, were influenced by natural and anthropogenic processes. The seasonal variation of ammonium deposition was caused primarily by ammonia emissions and ancillary by precipitation. Most heavy metals as well as sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium showed decreasing trends in concentrations and deposition fluxes. Only Hg did not show any trend. The decreasing depositions of sulfate and total nitrogen were correlated to emission reductions in Germany. The deposition of most heavy metals was influenced by emission reductions on European scale and meteorological factors such as wind speed and humidity. Hg did not show any correlation with the emission time series in Europe. Instead, it was correlated to the NAO index and wind, implying that global emissions and transport pathways determine the temporal development of Hg depositions. Overall, the study reveals that emission reductions positively influence regional depositions for most investigated substances. The regional spatial patterns of depositions were also influenced by local meteorological factors.
Planning of Measurement Series for Thermodynamic Properties Based on Optimal Experimental Design
Authors: Frotscher Ophelia , Herzog Roland , Richter Markus 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDecreasing the time required for accurate thermodynamic property measurements is extremely desirable for model development that can respond to the needs of science and industry within a short time frame. Here, we demonstrate the application of optimal experimental design to measurements of thermodynamic properties. The technique is explored using the fitting of a Schilling-type equation from published $$(p, \rho , T)$$

(
p
,
ρ
,
T
)

-measurements of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The analysis shows that a fixed-exponent fit using (p, T)-measurements along the five most informative isotherms produces models of relative density errors comparable to those obtained using the data along all investigated isotherms, i.e., eight or nine. It is also argued that a calculation of optimal isotherms prior to the measurement series can further increase the precision at no additional experimental effort.
Improvement of Surface Quality and Process Area Rate in Selective Laser Melting by Beam Oscillation Scan Technique
Authors: Islam Nabirul , Schanz Jochen , Kolb David , Riegel Harald 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSelective laser melting (SLM) has potential benefits for additive manufacturing of complex and precise metal parts with required mechanical and material properties. However, the improvement of surface quality and the minimization of fabrication time still remark a challenge for efficient manufacturing by SLM. Among the process parameters, the scan strategy has a significant influence on process stability and quality of the final manufactured three-dimensional products. This paper demonstrates the investigation of an alternative scan strategy to improve the surface quality with a reduction of fabrication time and laser energy input. Hereby, the scan strategy is performed by a conventional linear and oscillating laser beam movement in a self-developed SLM process chamber. Comparative analysis of the manufactured specimens regarding surface quality and density was performed. The investigations in oscillating laser beam movement show a decrease in the average variation of surface profile up to 50% relative to the experimented conventional linear scan technique. Due to an increased melt pool during the oscillation beam movement, the hatch distance was increased. As a result, the applied laser energy input was reduced by more than 28%, and the area rate was raised up to 50% compared to the conventional linear laser beam movement.
Myocardial Strain Imaging in Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Alsharari Reem , Oxborough David , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Shantsila Alena 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Resistant hypertension (RH) is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Cardiac changes such as impaired left ventricular (LV) function, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial fibrosis, and enlarged left atrium (LA) are consequences of chronic exposure to an elevated blood pressure. The purpose of this review article is to demonstrate the potential benefits of using STE as a non-invasive imaging technique in the assessment of cardiac remodeling in patients with hypertension and specifically in uncontrolled and RH population.

Recent Findings
It is well-recognized that conventional transthoracic echocardiography is a useful analytic imaging modality to evaluate hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and in a resistant hypertensive population. More recently two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has been utilized to provide further risk assessment to this population.

Summary
Recent data has shown that STE is a new promising echocardiographic marker to evaluate early stage LV dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis over conventional 2D parameters in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Machine Learning Applications in Heart Failure Disease Management: Hype or Hope?
Authors: Greenberg Barry , Brann Alison , Campagnari Claudio , Adler Eric , Yagil Avi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurpose of the reviewMachine learning (ML) approaches have emerged as powerful tools in medicine. This review focuses on the use ML to assess risk of events in patients with heart failure (HF). It provides an overview of the ML process, challenges in developing risk scores, and strategies to mitigate problems.Recent findingsRisk scores developed using standard statistical methods have limited accuracy, particularly when they are applied to populations other than the one in which they were developed. Computerized ML algorithms which identify correlations between descriptive variables in complex, non-linear, multi-dimensional systems provide an alternative approach to predicting risk of events. The MARKER-HF mortality risk score was developed using data from the electronic health record of HF patients followed at a large academic medical center. The risk score, which uses eight commonly available variables, proved to be highly accurate in predicting mortality across the spectrum of risk. It retained accuracy in independent populations and was superior to other risk scores.SummaryMachine learning approaches can be used to develop risk scores that are superior to ones based on standard statistical methods. Careful attention to detail in curating data, selecting covariates, and trouble-shooting the process is required to optimize results.
The contribution of field independence in virtual spatial updating
Authors: Nori Raffaella , Boccia Maddalena , Palmiero Massimiliano , Piccardi Laura 
Published: May 2021

AbstractField independence (FI) is the extent to which a person perceives part of a field as discrete from the surrounding field rather than embedded in the field. Several studies proposed that it represents a cognitive style that is a relatively stable individuals’ predisposition towards information processing. This study investigated the effects of Field Independence/Field Dependence (FI/FD) cognitive style on topographic memory in a virtual environment. Seventy-nine college students completed the Embedded Figure Test as a measure of FI/FD cognitive style and learned two paths in the VR-Walking Corsi Test apparatus. After the learning phase, participants had to reproduce the paths from a familiar perspective or unfamiliar perspectives. Data showed that FI cognitive style predicted the ability to reproduce a path from unfamiliar perspectives, suggesting a different impact of the angle degree. Results are discussed considering the facilitation of body axes references and the increasing difficulty due to maintaining online perspectives with higher angle degrees that increase the visuo-spatial working memory cognitive load. These results support the idea that FI predicts human navigation.
Sleep quality according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in over 7000 pregnant women in Poland
Authors: Smyka Magdalena , Kosińska-Kaczyńska Katarzyna , Sochacki-Wójcicka Nicole , Zgliczyńska Magdalena , Wielgoś Mirosław 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim was to assess sleep quality in pregnant women, characterize sleep patterns in each trimester and to establish independent risk factors of poor sleep quality during gestation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. The questionnaire included questions regarding sociodemographic data, information on the current pregnancy, sleep patterns and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. 7202 respondents fulfilled the survey completely and only those were included. A total of 95.1% of the respondents in the first trimester, 93% in the second trimester and 94.8% in the third trimester had poor sleep quality. Significantly more women with poor sleep quality assessed their socioeconomic status as bad or sufficient (15.7 vs 8.8%;p < 0.001), stress level as higher (mean 4.7 points vs 3.9 points;p < 0.001), had lower relationship rating (mean 8.8 points vs 9.3 points;p < 0.001) or suffered from depression and anxiety disorders. Logistic regression revealed pregnancy ailments to be the strongest independent risk factors of poor sleep quality during gestation. Sleep disorders are common among pregnant women in Poland and increase significantly as the pregnancy progresses. Developing and introducing a simple and easily available screening tool to assess sleep quality in common practice might improve the quality of the health care of pregnant women.
Moralischer Konstitutivismus und die Ethik grundlegender Güter
Authors: Horn Christoph 
Published: May 2021

ZusammenfassungIn this article, I defend a version of moral constitutivism that is based on a theory of goods. It is inspired by ancient philosophy both in claiming that action theory should be formulated in teleological terms (not as a causalism) and in the idea that a sound theory of goods should be a eudaemonist one. Additionally I argue that morality can be understood on the basis of such an approach.
Functionalized Halloysite Nanotubes for Enhanced Removal of Hg2+ Ions From Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Cataldo Salvatore , Crea Francesco , Massaro Marina , Milea Demetrio , Pettignano Alberto , Riela Serena 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWater is essential for humans, animals, and plants; pollutants, usually derived from anthropogenic activities, can have a serious effect on its quality. Heavy metals are significant pollutants and are often highly toxic to living organisms, even at very low concentrations. Among the numerous removal techniques proposed, adsorption onto suitable adsorbent materials is considered to be one of the most promising. The objective of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) functionalized with organic amino or thiol groups as adsorbent materials to decontaminate polluted waters, using the removal of Hg2+ ions, one of the most dangerous heavy metals, as the test case. The effects of pH, ionic strength (I), and temperature of the metal ion solution on the adsorption ability and affinity of both materials were evaluated. To this end, adsorption experiments were carried out with no ionic medium and in NaNO3 and NaCl at I = 0.1 mol L−1, in the pH range 3–5 and in the temperature range 283.15–313.15 K. Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of adsorption were considered by measuring the metal ion concentrations in aqueous solution. Various equations were used to fit experimental data, and the results obtained were explained on the basis of both the adsorbent’s characterization and the Hg2+ speciation under the given experimental conditions. Thiol and amino groups enhanced the adsorption capability of halloysite for Hg2+ ions in the pH range 3–5. The pH, the ionic medium, and the ionic strength of aqueous solution all play an important role in the adsorption process. A physical adsorption mechanism enhanced by ion exchange is proposed for both functionalized materials.
Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle Acquired Lidar for Mapping Monumental Architecture
Authors: McCoy Mark D. , Casana Jesse , Hill Austin Chad , Laugier Elise Jakoby , Mulrooney Mara A. , Ladefoged Thegn N. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTAs lidar becomes a regular part of surveying, ground-based platforms (handheld, mobile, and terrestrial lidar) and airborne platforms (piloted aircraft) are being joined by unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV)–acquired lidar. We present a method for leveraging UAV-acquired lidar data with data collected using different lidar platforms (terrestrial and piloted aircraft), at a range of resolutions (1 to +1,000 points per m2) and geographic scales. We use these instruments to document a dry-masonry stone wall enclosing a religious precinct within the royal center at Kealakekua, Kona District, Hawai'i Island. Prior to European contact in AD 1779, Kealakekua was the center of the island-wide polity during the annual Makahiki festival. Results of this study suggest that when the wall was constructed around AD 1640, it was the largest structure ever built on the island of Hawai'i as well as a strong material expression of the power of state religion and the Makahiki rituals.
Guillain Barre Syndrome as a Complication of COVID-19: A Systematic Review
Authors: Aladawi Mohammad , Elfil Mohamed , Abu-Esheh Baha , Abu Jazar Deaa , Armouti Ahmad , Bayoumi Ahmed , Piccione Ezequiel 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT:Background:In January 2020, the first case of Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) due to COVID-19 was documented in China. GBS is known to be postinfectious following several types of infections. Although causality can only be proven through large epidemiological studies, we intended to study this association by a thorough review of the literature.Methods:We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Google scholar and included all papers with English or Spanish full text and original data of patients with GBS and recent COVID infection. Variables of interest were demographics, diagnostic investigations, and the latency between arboviral and neurological symptoms. Further variables were pooled to identify GBS clinical and electrophysiological variants, used treatments, and outcomes. The certainty of GBS diagnosis was verified using Brighton criteria.Results:We identified a total of 109 GBS cases. Ninety-nine cases had confirmed COVID-19 infection with an average age of 56.07 years. The average latency period between the arboviral symptoms and neurologic manifestations for confirmed COVID-19 cases was 12.2 d. The predominant GBS clinical and electromyography variants were the classical sensorimotor GBS and acute demyelinating polyneuropathy respectively. Forty cases required intensive care, 33 cases required mechanical ventilation, and 6 cases were complicated by death.Conclusions:Studies on COVID-19-related GBS commonly reported sensorimotor demyelinating GBS with frequent facial palsy. The time between the onset of infectious and neurological symptoms suggests a postinfectious mechanism. Early diagnosis of GBS in COVID-19 patients is important as it might be associated with a severe disease course requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Earthquake-Related Head Injuries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Igarashi Yutaka , Matsumoto Narumi , Kubo Tatsuhiko , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Nakae Ryuta , Onda Hidetaka , Yokobori Shoji , Koido Yuichi , Yokota Hiroyuki 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjective:We conducted a systematic review to determine the prevalence and characteristics of earthquake-associated head injuries for better disaster preparedness and management.Methods:We searched for all publications related to head injuries and earthquakes from 1985 to 2018 in MEDLINE and other major databases. A search was conducted using “earthquakes,” “wounds and injuries,” and “cranio-cerebral trauma” as a medical subject headings.Results:Included in the analysis were 34 articles. With regard to the commonly occurring injuries, earthquake-related head injury ranks third among patients with earthquake-related injuries. The most common trauma is lower extremity (36.2%) followed by upper extremity (19.9%), head (16.6%), spine (13.1%), chest (11.3%), and abdomen (3.8%). The most common earthquake-related head injury was laceration or contusion (59.1%), while epidural hematoma was the most common among inpatients with intracranial hemorrhage (9.5%) followed by intracerebral hematoma (7.0%), and subdural hematoma (6.8%). Mortality rate was 5.6%.Conclusion:Head injuries were found to be a commonly occurring trauma along with extremity injuries. This knowledge is important for determining the demands for neurosurgery and for adequately managing patients, especially in resource-limited conditions.
Multi-level Administration, Inspections and Fundamental Rights: Is Judicial Protection Full and Effective?
Authors: De Bellis Maurizia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn the last decades, an increasing number of EU institutions and agencies have been given the power to conduct administrative inspections. While the legal literature has traditionally focused on the Commission’s inspection powers in competition proceedings, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Central Bank (ECB), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) are also entrusted with such powers. The Commission has also been granted inspection powers in the field of Food Safety. Inspection powers can have a crucial impact on the fundamental right of the inviolability of the home, recognized by the Court of Justice as a general principle of EU law, and protected under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) and Article 7 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (ECFR). This Article argues that the current remedies do not fulfill all the criteria set forth by the Strasbourg Court for ex post judicial control vis-à vis inspections to be full and effective, in particular when these powers are used in the context of composite procedures, and suggests remedies to improve the system of review, in order to effectively protect fundamental rights.
Efficacy of shoot production of cassava using the multiple shoot removal technique for rapid propagation
Authors: Murray F. V. N. , Cohen J. E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOne thrust in increasing food security in Jamaica is expansion of cassava production. The multiple shoot removal technique (MSRT) for rapid propagation of cassava can help address limitations in planting material. Shoots sprouting from cuttings of hardwood stem are severed in such a way as to induce further sprouting, and then put to root for subsequent transfer to the field. The effects of age and fertilization of parent plants and nodal age of stems were studied. Six Colombian varieties were planted in fertilized and unfertilized field plots with similar growing conditions to provide stems for MSRT propagation. Volume of two-node cuttings increased from apical to basal nodal age, but cutting density was a better predictor of shoot production. On average, three to six viable shoots were produced per cutting over 3 months in a greenhouse. All nodal ages of stems from parent plants aged 6, 7 and 9 months were suitable if the quality of the planting stakes producing parent plants was adequate. If stake quality is uncertain, it is recommended that apical pieces are not used from parents younger than 9 months. The variety CM 6119-5 consistently produced most shoots, suggesting a strong genotypic effect, but other varieties, particularly CM 849, were less consistent, indicating the role of environmental interactions. The physiological status of cuttings as influenced by stem maturity, parent plant age, nutrition and growing conditions of both grandparent and parent stems was as important as genotypic characteristics in determining shoot production from two-node cuttings of cassava stem.
Comorbid Affective Symptomatology and Neurocognitive Performance in College Athletes
Authors: Thomas Garrett A. , Guty Erin T. , Riegler Kaitlin E. , Arnett Peter A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectives:The current study aims to examine the prevalence rates and the relationship of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and comorbid depression/anxiety with neurocognitive performance in college athletes at baseline. We hypothesizeda priorithat the mood disturbance groups would perform worse than healthy controls, with the comorbid group performing worst overall.Methods:Eight hundred and thirty-one (M= 620,F= 211) collegiate athletes completed a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery at baseline which included self-report measures of anxiety and depression. Athletes were separated into four groups [Healthy Control (HC) (n= 578), Depressive Symptoms Only (n= 137), Anxiety Symptoms Only (n= 54), and Comorbid Depressive/Anxiety Symptoms (n= 62)] based on their anxiety and depression scores. Athletes’ neurocognitive functioning was analyzed viaZscore composites of Attention/Processing Speed and Memory.Results:One-way analysis of variance revealed that, compared to HC athletes, the comorbid group performedsignificantlyworse on measures of Attention/Processing Speed but not Memory. However, those in the depressive symptoms only and anxiety symptoms only groups were not significantly different from one another or the HC group on neurocognitive outcomes. Chi-square analyses revealed that a significantly greater proportion of athletes in all three affective groups were neurocognitively impaired compared to the HC group.Conclusions:These results demonstrate that collegiate athletes with comorbid depressive/anxiety symptoms should be identified, as their poorer cognitive performance at baseline could complicate post-concussion interpretation. Thus, assessing for mood disturbance at baseline is essential to obtain an accurate measurement of baseline functioning. Further, given the negative health outcomes associated with affective symptomatology, especially comorbidities, it is important to provide care as appropriate.