bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lead‐free metal halide perovskites for light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Lu Jianxun , Yan Chuanzhong , Feng Wenjing , Guan Xiang , Lin Kebin , Wei Zhanhua 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMetal halide perovskites (MHPs) have been developing rapidly in recent years due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties and tremendous contributions from worldwide researchers. The external quantum efficiencies of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (Pero‐LEDs) have all exceeded 20% for the green, red, and near‐infrared emitting ones. However, the toxicity and instability issues of the lead‐based MHPs are still big problems limiting their practical applications. The applications of the lead‐free MHPs (LFMHPs) are emerging as one of the most promising strategies to tackle these issues. Compared with lead‐based MHPs, the LFMHPs show better environment stability and broader emission regions from the violet to near‐infrared wavelength. Thanks to numerous contributions made by the researchers, great progress has already been made for the LFMHPs. For example, the photoluminescence quantum yield has reached near 100%. However, the performances of the lead‐free Pero‐LEDs are still lagging compared with their lead‐based counterparts. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the synthesis developments of LFMHPs and their applications in the down‐conversion white LEDs and electroluminescent Pero‐LEDs. Moreover, some suggestions and outlooks of the lead‐free Pero‐LEDs developments are proposed in the end.image
Toward a Universal Acute Fish Threshold of Toxicological Concern
Authors: Plugge Hans , Das Nihar , Kostal Jakub 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) is a concept that has been around for decades in human health sciences. Ecotoxicology recently adopted a variant of this concept as eco-TTC. Adoption of the concept of TTC considerably reduces the amount of animal testing required for regulatory purposes. We provide an application of a universal TTC for the entirety of acute fish toxicity data (i.e., establishment of an exposure level below which there would be minimal probability of acute fish toxicity for any chemical, without consideration of mechanism of action). We calculated TTC values for a number of subgroups using various approaches. These approaches were evaluated using data from a cohort of 69 999 acute fish toxicological assays. This database was normalized/curated for units, exposure duration, quality assurance/control, and duplicates, which reduced it to 47 694 assays. Data were not normally but log-normally distributed, making geometric means the most appropriate statistical parameter. Thus, we developed descriptive statistics using geometric means with 95, 99, and 99.9% confidence intervals. Various assessment factors (akin to predicted-no-effect concentration derivation) were applied to the geometric means to derive TTCs. Other approaches employed were the calculation of y = 0 intercepts as well as development of 95 and 99.75% cutoffs of cumulative data as well as modular uncertainty scoring tool (MUST) analysis. All of the methodologies derived highly congruent TTCs ranging from to 2 to 8 μg/L except for the 99.75th percentile cutoff of 0.3 μg/L. The data would be most useful in making a binary testing/no testing required decision. For acute fish toxicity, a TTC value of 2 μg/L was most appropriate, based on the 95th percentile of data distribution without any assessment factor. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1740–1749. © 2021 SETAC
Effects of Low Doses of Herbicides on Different Endpoints in the Life Cycle of Nontarget Terrestrial Plants
Authors: Mathiassen Solvejg K. , Boutin Céline , Strandberg Beate , Carpenter David , Damgaard Christian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Herbicide drift may cause adverse effects on natural and seminatural plant communities, and it has been debated whether the current ecological risk assessments are adequate to protect nontarget terrestrial plant species. In the present study, 9 nontarget terrestrial plant species with different lifespans (3 annual/6 perennial) belonging to 6 different plant families were exposed to 4 herbicides with different modes of action at the vegetative (6–8 leaf) and reproductive (bud) stages separately. The plant tests were conducted under controlled conditions in 2 greenhouses, 1 located in Denmark and 1 in Canada. For both growth stages, effects were recorded on vegetative (above-ground biomass 3 wk after treatment) and reproductive endpoints (number and germinability of seeds). In most cases, responses following exposure at the juvenile stage were greater than responses following exposure at the reproductive stage. For the combinations of herbicides and plant species included in the present study, we found that the sensitivities of vegetative and reproductive endpoints were equal, or else vegetative endpoints were more sensitive than reproductive endpoints. We also found that annual species were more sensitive than perennial species. The overall conclusions cover many different response patterns, and it is evident that some effects may not be found in the currently used standard tests. Generally, more pronounced effects were obtained in Denmark compared with Canada, highlighting the fact that even under standardized test conditions and following common guidelines, several uncontrollable factors can still induce variable results. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1389–1404. © 2021 SETAC
Exposure and Risk Assessment of Hg, Cd, As, Tl, Se, and Mo in Women of Reproductive Age Using Urinary Biomonitoring
Authors: Coscollà Clara , Sánchez Alfredo , Corpas-Burgos Francisca , López Antonio , Pérez Rosa , Kuligowski Julia , Vento Máximo , Yusà Vicent 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The present study analyzed the exposure and risk assessment of 4 toxic (Hg, Cd, As, Tl) and 2 essential (Se, Mo) elements in 119 Spanish women of reproductive age. The focus was on the elements for which risk-based benchmark, biomonitoring equivalents, or health-related human biomonitoring values have already been established. All elements presented frequencies of detection of 100% (greater than the limit of detection), except for Cd (99%). The 95th percentile concentrations were, for the toxic metals, 358.37 µg/L (total As), 1.10 µg/L (Cd), 0.41 µg/L (Tl), and 3.03 µg/L (total Hg) and, for the essential elements, 68.95 µg/L (total Se) and 154.67 (Mo). We examined sociodemographic factors and dietary habits of women as predictors of urinary metal concentrations. Arsenic was positively associated with fish, shellfish, and canned fish consumption, whereas Mo was found to be associated with the consumption of cereals and pastry products. Maternal urine levels of As were negatively correlated with gestational age. In a risk-assessment context, hazard quotients (HQs) using the 95th percentile ranged from 0.08 (Tl) to 15.1 (urinary speciated As), with Cd presenting an HQ of 1.1 (95th percentile). None of the essential metals presented concentrations higher than their upper intake level; however, 3% of the mothers showed lower levels of Se than the estimated average requirement (EAR) biomonitoring equivalent, and 20% of the mothers were found to have lower levels of Mo than the EAR biomonitoring equivalent, suggesting a nutritionally inadequate diet. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1477–1490. © 2021 SETAC
Abstract
Levels, predictors, and risk assessment for toxic and essential elements in mothers.
Should stock returns predictability be ‘hooked on’ long‐horizon regressions?
Authors: Dergiades Theologos , Pouliasis Panos K. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper re‐examines stock returns predictability over the business cycle using price‐dividend and price‐earnings valuation ratios as predictors. Unlike prior studies that habitually implement long‐horizon/predictive regressions, we conduct a testing framework in the frequency domain. Predictive regressions support no predictability; in contrast, our results in the frequency domain verify significant predictability at medium and long horizons. To robustify predictability patterns, the analysis is executed repetitively for fixed‐length rolling samples of various sizes. Overall, the stock returns are predictable for wavelengths higher than 5 years. This finding is robust and independent of time, window size and predictor.
Repeat induced abortion in 30 Chinese provinces: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Luo Hao , Wu Shangchun , Wang Kun , Xu Jialin , Tang Longmei , Temmerman Marleen , Zhang Wei‐Hong ,   the INPAC consortium
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo report the proportion and determinants of repeat induced abortions in China.MethodsCross‐sectional data were collected of 79 954 women who received an induced abortion from 297 hospitals across 30 Chinese provinces in 2013, using a stratified cluster sampling design. Logistic and Poisson regression models were fitted to identify characteristics associated with repeat abortion. Putative factors included age, household registration (hukou) status, marital status, education, occupation, reproductive history, and current contraceptive practices.ResultsOf all abortions, 65.2% were repeat induced abortions. The proportion of repeat abortions varied substantially across provinces, from 36.9% in Qinghai to 85% in Hubei. The strongest factors associated with repeat induced abortion were being older than 40 years (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 7.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2–7.9), divorced or widowed (ORadj 2.1, 95% CI 1.6–2.7), and using oral contraceptives (ORadj 2.1, 95% CI 1.9–2.3).ConclusionA high proportion of repeat induced abortion was observed across many Chinese provinces, highlighting the need to reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancy. Several sociodemographic and clinical factors were found to be significantly associated with repeat abortions and should be considered in post‐abortion family planning services.
SegCaps: An efficient SegCaps network‐based skin lesion segmentation in dermoscopic images
Authors: Kosgiker Gouse Mohiuddin , Deshpande Anupama , Kauser Anjum 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis research aims to improve the efficiency of skin lesion segment locations for the given input image of skin cancer using a combination of recently modified segmentation algorithms. Skin lesion segmentation is still a challenging task in medical image analysis because of the low contrast and high noise produced by dermoscopic imaging. Previous works extracted spatially‐oriented information but failed in terms of training. They were based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which require extensive training time. Current results show 91% to 93% efficiency in segmentation, but the proposed segmentation capsule network (SegCaps) in this research has improved it up to 98% by adding four pre‐processing sequential processes in combinations with SegCaps algorithms. The performance of the proposed SegCaps model was evaluated on two different datasets—ISBI 2017 and PH2 and implemented on the MatlabR2017b software. The chosen metrics were Jaccard co‐efficient, dice similarity co‐efficient, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for validation.
Developing the non‐dimensional framework for water distribution formulation to evaluate sprinkler irrigation*
Authors: Li Ang , Mu Xinyuan , Zhao Xia , Xu Jiamin , Khayatnezhad Majid , Lalehzari Reza 
Published: January 2021

AbstractImproving the application efficiency and leaching of solutes from the root zone in a sprinkler irrigation system are directly related to the uniformity of water distribution at the field surface. The coefficient of uniformity and distribution uniformity are affected by changes in wind speed and its direction, sprinkler characteristics and variations in operating pressure. The objective of this paper is to present modified equations for evaluating pressurized irrigation systems based on non‐dimensional infiltrated depths. The equations were obtained by four data groups including the average of the measured infiltration depths in any quarter. Coefficient of uniformity (CU), distribution uniformity (DU), application efficiency (Ea) and deep percolation (DP) were used as performance indicators to evaluate the sprinkler irrigation system. The suggested method was compared to the existing approach to assess the evaluation indicators. Three data sets of observed information for wheel‐move, permanent solid set and semi‐solid set irrigation systems were collected in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces to evaluate the proposed formulation. Furthermore, the relationships between CU and DU were analysed for three scenarios of infiltration depth. Results show that the application efficiency was 12% less than previous equations because of using four average values.
Enriched cancer stem cells, dense stroma, and cold immunity: Interrelated events in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Mortezaee Keywan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCold tumors generally show low mutational burden and low infiltration of effector T cells. The pancreas, prostate, ovary, breast, and colon are placed into the category of cold tumors. In such tumors, effector T cells are either excluded from the tumor area or taken away from being in contact with tumor cells. The stromal reaction in the form of desmoplasia is important for the pathogenesis of tumors like the pancreas. Besides acting as a barrier for the penetration of drugs into the tumor area, the dense stroma presumably creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which accounts for low responses from tumor to immunotherapy. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are an important part of the immunosuppressive complex within the TME. The presence of CSCs within the TME is related negatively to the activity of the antitumor immune system. Here, the question is how desmoplastic aggregates can influence the functionality of CSCs for promoting a cold pancreatic tumor immunity? This review is aimed at responding to this question, the disruption of which can be an effective strategy for improving responses from cold tumors to immunotherapy.
Potential effect of adrenomedullin on metabolic and endocrinal dysfunctions in the experimentally induced polycystic ovary: Targeting implication of endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: El‐Saka Mervat H. , Barhoma Ramez A. , Ibrahim Rowida R. , Elsaadany Amira , Alghazaly Ghada M. , Elshwaikh Shereef , Marea Karima E. , Madi Nermin M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the potential effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on metabolic and endocrinal dysfunctions in experimentally induced polycystic ovary. Twenty‐four female Wistar rats were allocated into three groups: control; polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in which PCOS was induced by letrozole, orally in a dose of 1 mg/kg once daily for 3 weeks; and ADM group in which ADM was injected intraperitonally in a dose of 3.5/μg/twice daily for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the serum sex hormone profile, ADM, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and lipid parameters were determined. Ovarian tissue homogenates were used to determine malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, B cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2), and Bcl‐2 associated X protein. The profibrotic growth factors, including transforming growth factor β1 and connective tissue growth factor, were determined; and also, the relative gene expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, including (Xbox‐binding protein‐1 [XBP‐1], activating transcription factor 6 [ATF6], and homologous protein [CHOP]), serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPAR‐γ) were determined. Finally, histopathological analysis of the ovaries was evaluated. PCOS group exhibited increased ER stress, suppressing of PI3K/Akt1 and PPAR‐γ pathways, imbalance of sex hormonal profile, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, increased profibrotic factors, and abnormal ovarian histopathological picture, while ADM treatment alleviated these disturbances occurring in the PCOS model. We concluded that ADM mitigated PCOS via attenuating the ER stress, in addition to activation of PI3K/Akt1 and PPAR‐γ pathways, its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic properties.
Noradrenaline‐induced l‐lactate production requires d‐glucose entry and transit through the glycogen shunt in single‐cultured rat astrocytes
Authors: Fink Katja , Velebit Jelena , Vardjan Nina , Zorec Robert , Kreft Marko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDuring cognitive efforts mediated by local neuronal networks, approximately 20% of additional energy is required; this is mediated by chemical messengers such as noradrenaline (NA). NA targets astroglial aerobic glycolysis, the hallmark of which is the end product l‐lactate, a fuel for neurons. Biochemical studies have revealed that astrocytes exhibit a prominent glycogen shunt, in which a portion of d‐glucose molecules entering the cytoplasm is transiently incorporated into glycogen, a buffer and source of d‐glucose during increased energy demand. Here, we studied single astrocytes by measuring cytosolic L‐lactate ([lac]i) with the FRET nanosensor Laconic. We examined whether NA‐induced increase in [lac]i is influenced by: (a) 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG, 3 mM), a molecule that enters the cytosol and inhibits the glycolytic pathway; (b) 1,4‐dideoxy‐1,4‐imino‐d‐arabinitol (DAB, 300 µM), a potent inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen degradation; and (c) 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NPA, 1 mM), an inhibitor of the Krebs cycle. The results of these pharmacological experiments revealed that d‐glucose uptake is essential for the NA‐induced increase in [lac]i, and that this exclusively arises from glycogen degradation, indicating that most, if not all, d‐glucose molecules in NA‐stimulated cells transit the glycogen shunt during glycolysis. Moreover, under the defined transmembrane d‐glucose gradient, the glycolytic intermediates were not only used to produce l‐lactate, but also to significantly support oxidative phosphorylation, as demonstrated by an elevation in [lac]i when Krebs cycle was inhibited. We conclude that l‐lactate production via aerobic glycolysis is an essential energy pathway in NA‐stimulated astrocytes; however, oxidative metabolism is important at rest.
The risk and severity of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and gout: A National Representative Database study
Authors: Haddadin Faris , Arevalo Ana B. , Jabri Ahmad , Beydoun Hassan , Fram Farah , Munoz Estrella Alba , Karim Saima , Virani Salim , Ali Yousaf 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundIt has been shown that gout is associated with left atrium remodeling and a pro‐inflammatory state leading to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). There is limited evidence whether gout increases the risk of stroke in patients with AF. We assessed the incidence of gout and the risk of stroke in patients with AF.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study using the 2016 US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) based on ICD‐10 codes. The outcomes of the study were the risk and severity of new stroke in patients with pre‐existing AF and gout.ResultsIn 2016, we identified 3 844 057 patients admitted to the hospitals in NIS with history of AF, of which 240 875 had history of gout. Patients with AF and gout have higher risk of new stroke (OR 2.07 [1.97‐2.19], P < .001), and this risk remains significantly elevated after adjusting for CHADS2VASC score variables, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, obesity, and race (OR 1.10 [1.01‐1.11], P = .041). However, presence of gout in patients with AF was not associated with all‐cause in‐hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, percutaneous gastrostomy tube insertion, or discharge to skilled nursing facility.ConclusionSubjects with AF and gout compared to AF alone had an increased risk of new stroke, but presence of gout was not associated with stroke severity. There is a potential role of gout as a risk factor or a risk marker for stroke in subjects with AF.
Influence of Madden–Julian Oscillation on extreme rainfall events in Spring in southern Uruguay
Authors: Ungerovich Matilde , Barreiro Marcelo , Masoller Cristina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe influence of Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the dynamics of extreme rainfall events during austral Spring in Uruguay is investigated. The research is focused on the southern region of the country, which includes 15 weather stations. Extreme events are defined as days in which accumulated rainfall exceeds the 90 percentile of rainy days, and MJO is classified according to the Real‐time Multivariate MJO series 1 (RMM1) and 2 (RMM2) indices. Given that the extratropical teleconnections associated with MJO take at least 1 week to set up, we explore the influence of MJO up to 11 days prior to extreme events. A nonlinear time series analysis is performed (using symbolic patterns known as ordinal patterns) in order to consider the effects of the persistence of particular phases of MJO on the dynamic of extreme rainfall events. We find that MJO has the highest influence on extreme rainfall events in the region when it shows a persistence in phases 4 and 5 for more than 5 days, which intensifies the polar jet, influencing the trajectories of the transient waves that propagate in high latitudes, favouring geopotential disturbances over Uruguay. In other cases, the atmospheric pattern that leads to extreme rainfall events is characterized by a blocking episode that prevents transient activity from high latitudes to reach Uruguay, and the disturbances associated with the extreme events propagate along the subtropics.
The morphological variation of acetabular defects in revision total hip arthroplasty—A statistical shape modeling approach
Authors: Meynen Alexander , Vles Georges , Zadpoor Amir A. , Mulier Michiel , Scheys Lennart 
Published: January 2021

AbstractClassification and evaluation of acetabular defects remain challenging and are primarily based on qualitative classification methods. That is because quantitative techniques describing variations of acetabular defects and accompanying bone loss volume are not available. This study introduces a new method based on statistical shape models (SSMs) to quantitively describe acetabular defects. This method is then applied to 87 acetabular defects to objectively describe the variations in acetabular defects typically encountered during revision total hip arthroplasty. The absolute bone loss volume, relative bone loss volume, and relative bone loss surface area with respect to the SSM‐based pre‐diseased anatomy were used to quantify the acetabular bone defects in different segments of the acetabular surface. The absolute bone loss volume of the average defect shape was equal to 37.0 cm3. The first three principal modes, accounting for 62% of the total shape variation, were found to represent variations in acetabular defect morphology. The first, second, and third principal modes described, respectively, the size of the bone defects, the difference between superomedially and superolaterally migrated defects, and the degree of involvement of the posterior or anterior column. The developed SSM and the introduced approach could be used to create automated and unbiased classification methods based on quantitative data. Moreover, the proposed model and the underlying data provide the basis for a quantitative design approach where the shape and size of new acetabular implants are determined according to clinical variation present in acetabular defects.