bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the potential environmental and ecological risks associated with traffic induced heavy metal contamination in country parks of Hong Kong
Authors: Ngai K W , Mak M W , Pun K L 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Hong Kong is a densely populated area with a limited area, so most country parks are adjacent to busy traffic roads and town activities. The soil in country parks may be contaminated by heavy metals emitted by traffic activities. During the holidays, most people go to country parks to play. It is very important to assess the potential risks of residents, especially children. So far, data on pollution in Hong Kong’s country parks is very limited. The heavy metals arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), silver (Ag) and zinc (Zn) were collected in the Kam Shan (KS), Plover Cove (PC), Sai Kung West (SK) and Lion Rock (LR) country parks. The mean Zn concentration in KS Country Park was more than three times higher than the background concentration in Dutch soil standard, while Cu and Pb were more than 1.6 times higher. The average pollution index (PIave) of KS Country Parks was classified as high, and the potential ecological risk index (RI) was classified as moderate. Country parks should pay special attention to heavy metal pollution in order to continue further research and remedial measures.
Antioxidant activities of underexplored Chinese medicinal plant parts and their effect against high glucose-induced modulation of fibronectin expression
Authors: Sridharan B , Zhong Y X , Rao Y K , Tzeng Y M , Lee M J 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Diabetes has been a long-standing disorder and its management has been challenging various medical and research experts for several decades because of its complex causative factors and pathophysiological processes leading to complications. Medicinal plants have been explored in several countries and traditional Chinese medicine is one of the well-recognized alternative treatment methods. In this study, we have chosen some of the underexplored plant parts of Chinese medicinal herbs and analyzed their antioxidant activity and ability to modulate the expression of fibronectin during high glucose conditions. Extraction of the plant materials with different solvent led to 17 extracts and among which, 3 extracts (2, 12 & 17) were observed to render more than 50 μg/ml vitamin C equivalents of DPPH free radical scavenging ability and 2 of them (2 & 17) showed more than 25 μg/ml of vitamin C equivalents of ferric ion reducing power. Based on the antioxidant activity and comparison of their total phenolic content, we used extracts 2 & 17 to check their effect on fibronectin expression in MES-13 cells under high sugar conditions. We observed that both extracts showed a significant reduction of fibronectin expression compared to untreated cells with high glucose levels. The expression was much lesser than the normal untreated, normal sugar supplemented cells and this was not observed in vitamin C supplemented cells. In conclusion, crude extracts containing a group of phenolic compounds have shown significant effects against fibronectin expression leading to reduced ECM deposition and tissue fibrosis. Further exploration might provide insights into the exact mechanism and checkpoints of the extract that can successfully reduce diabetes-induced renal complications.
Computer vision-based techniques for cow object recognition
Authors: Bello R W , Mohamed A S A , Talib A Z , Olubummo D A , Enuma O C 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe productivity of livestock farming depends on the welfare of the livestock. This can be achieved by physically and constantly monitoring their behaviors and activities by human experts. However, the degree of having high accuracy and consistency with manual monitoring in a commercial farm is herculean, and in most cases impractical. Hence, there is a need for a method that can overcome the challenges. Proposed in this paper, therefore, is the cow detection and monitoring method using computer vision techniques. The proposed method is capable of tracking and identifying cow objects in video experiments, thereby actualizing precision livestock farming. The method generates reasonable results when compared to other methods.
Effectiveness of plant essential oils derived from Curcuma longa, Illicium verum, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Foeniculum vulgare for controlling common cutworm (Spodoptera litura)
Authors: Passara H , Pumnuan J , Thipmanee K 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Four essential oils of Curcuma longa, Illicium verum, Ocimum tenuiflorum and Foeniculum vulgare were selected for insecticidal activity against the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) by using leaf dipping bioassay. Toxicity on second instar larvae was assessed after 24 hours of exposure. The result revealed that all the four essential oils effectively killed the larvae and showed high antifeedant activity. The highest killing amount for controlling the larvae and highest anti-feedant effect were observed in the essential oils of Curcuma longa and Illicium verum 0.75% concentration causing 100% mortality after 24 hours. These oils also presented the highest anti-feedant effect for controlling the larvae at 0.25% concentration. It seems that, plant essential oils derived from Curcuma longa and Illicium verum have an ability to be used as herbicide for controlling Spodoptera litura.
Does Australian oaten hay improve Chinese dairy cow performance?
Authors: Liang Q R 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
With the steep growth of the global population, especially in developing countries, the pressure on the agricultural sector has been increasing. Since the Chinese dairy industry is undergoing rapid development, the demand for adequate high-quality forage is proportionately increasing. Australian oaten hay is regularly exported to China with distinct nutritional benefits, but studies concerning details of the nutritional composition and its influence on the performance of Chinese dairy cows are limited. The controversy related to the harvesting time of oaten hay is another less explored area but critically important factor affecting the nutritional value of forage. This research used a comparative research method to analyze the nutritional composition difference between Australian oaten hay and Chinese oaten hay and the nutrient and yield difference during different harvesting times. Three different forage replacement experiments were reviewed, which were conducted on dry and mid-lactating Chinese Holstein cows and weaned Chinese Holstein calves separately. The corresponding impacts of feeding Australian oaten hay on their production performances were investigated by regression analysis methods. The results of this project can provide a comprehensive understanding of nutritional composition and a systematic overview of the impact of Australian oaten hay on the production performance of Chinese dairy Holstein cows.
Method for prediction of raw gluten content in wheat grain
Authors: Pasynkov A V , Pasynkova E N 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The possibility of using the developed equations reflecting the dependence of the raw gluten content (Y, %) on the protein content (X1, %) and the 1000-grain weight (X2, g) to predict its (gluten) content in wheat grain is discussed. The developed equations allow to determine the main trends in the change in raw gluten content of wheat grains, occurring when the protein content and 1000-grain weight vary under the influence of various factors, and explain the contradictory nature of these dependencies available in the scientific literature. The equations can be used to control the quality of the manual or mechanical determination of the raw gluten content of winter and spring soft and hard wheat grains, as well as to test the operation and reliability of the various analyzers used in protein and gluten analysis.
Synthesis of Acanthus ilicifolius Linn alkaloid 2-Benzoxazolinone Derivative and its effect on cervical cancer C-33A cells
Authors: Tian X Q , Ke L N , Chen Q H , Zeng X H , Wang H M , Li P 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCervical cancer seriously threatens women’s health, it seriously harm the patient’s physical and mental health. The new derivative of Acanthus ilicifolius Linn alkaloid 2-benzoxazone was obtained from o-aminophenol, substituted benzaldehyde, trichloroacetic acid and isocyanate via a tandem Ugi 4CC/SN cyclization (N-cyclohexyl-2-(2-benzoxazolone-3-yl)-2-p-trifluoromethylphenylacetamide, BOABB), and the toxicity of the new compound to the cervical cancer C-33A cells was detected by CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay and apoptotic assay. The results exhibited that BOABB had obvious inhibitory effect on C-33A cells, and the calculated IC50 was 32.3 μM. Wound healing assay showed that BOABB could significantly inhibit cell migration (P<0.05). The apoptotic assay demonstrated that BOABB has induced apoptosis in C-33A cells (from 10.86% to 34.70%).
On the archimedean and nonarchimedean 𝑞-Gevrey orders
Authors: Roques Julien 
Published: September 2021

q
q

-Difference equations appear in various contexts in mathematics and physics. The “basis”

q
q

is sometimes a parameter, sometimes a fixed complex number. In both cases, one classically associates to any series solution of such equations its

q
q

-Gevrey order expressing the growth rate of its coefficients : a (nonarchimedean)

q

−
1

q^{-1}

-adic

q
q

-Gevrey order when

q
q

is a parameter, an archimedean

q
q

-Gevrey order when

q
q

is a fixed complex number. The objective of this paper is to relate these two

q
q

-Gevrey orders, which may seem unrelated at first glance as they express growth rates with respect to two very different norms. More precisely, let

f
(
q
,
z
)
∈

C

(
q
)
[
[
z
]
]

f(q,z) \in \mathbb {C}(q)[[z]]

be a series solution of a linear

q
q

-difference equation, where

q
q

is a parameter, and assume that

f
(
q
,
z
)

f(q,z)

can be specialized at some

q
=

q

0

∈

C

×

q=q_{0} \in \mathbb {C}^{\times }

of complex norm

>
1

>1

. On the one hand, the series

f
(
q
,
z
)

f(q,z)

has a certain

q

−
1

q^{-1}

-adic

q
q

-Gevrey order

s

q

s_{q}

. On the other hand, the series

f
(

q

0

,
z
)

f(q_{0},z)

has a certain archimedean

q

0

q_{0}

-Gevrey order

s

q

0

s_{q_{0}}

. We prove that

s

q

0

≤

s

q

s_{q_{0}} \leq s_{q}

“for most

q

0

q_{0}

”. In particular, this shows that if

f
(
q
,
z
)

f(q,z)

has a nonzero (nonarchimedean)

q

−
1

q^{-1}

-adic radius of convergence, then

f
(

q

0

,
z
)

f(q_{0},z)

has a nonzero archimedean radius converges “for most

q

0

q_{0}

”.
Smooth entrywise positivity preservers, a Horn–Loewner master theorem, and symmetric function identities
Authors: Khare Apoorva 
Published: September 2021

A special case of a fundamental result of Loewner and Horn [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 136 (1969), pp. 269–286] says that given an integern⩾1n \geqslant 1, if the entrywise application of a smooth functionf:(0,∞)→Rf : (0,\infty ) \to \mathbb {R}preserves the set ofn×nn \times npositive semidefinite matrices with positive entries, thenffand its firstn−1n-1derivatives are non-negative on(0,∞)(0,\infty ). In a recent joint work with Belton–Guillot–Putinar [J. Eur. Math. Soc., in press], we proved a stronger version, and used it to strengthen the Schoenberg–Rudin characterization of dimension-free positivity preservers [Duke Math. J. 26 (1959), pp. 617–622; Duke Math. J. 9 (1942), pp. 96–108].

In recent works with Belton–Guillot–Putinar [Adv. Math. 298 (2016), pp. 325–368] and with Tao [Amer. J. Math. 143 (2021), pp. 1863-1929] we used local, real-analytic versions at the origin of the Horn–Loewner condition, and discovered unexpected connections between entrywise polynomials preserving positivity and Schur polynomials. In this paper, we unify these two stories via a Master Theorem (Theorem A) which (i) simultaneously unifies and extends all of the aforementioned variants; and (ii) proves the positivity of the firstnnnonzero Taylor coefficients at individual points rather than on all of(0,∞)(0,\infty ).

A key step in the proof is a new determinantal / symmetric function calculation (Theorem B), which shows that Schur polynomials arise naturally from considering arbitrary entrywise maps that are sufficiently differentiable. Of independent interest may be the following application to symmetric function theory: we extend the Schur function expansion of Cauchy’s (1841) determinant (whose matrix entries are geometric series1/(1−ujvk)1 / (1 - u_j v_k)), as well as of a determinant of Frobenius [J. Reine Angew. Math. 93 (1882), pp. 53–68] (whose matrix entries are a sum of two geometric series), to arbitrary power series, and over all commutative rings.
Extensive calcification of the mitral valve annulus in transcatheter aortic valve implants
Authors: Haensig Martin , Kuntze Thomas , Gonzalez David Lopez , Lapp Harald , Lauten Philipp , Owais Tamer 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study sought to report the calcification pattern of the mitral valve annulus and its implications for procedural and safety outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

METHODS
Between November 2018 and September 2019, a total of 305 patients had transcatheter aortic valve implants at our institution. The extent of calcification of the mitral valve annulus was analysed, and the impact on safety outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS
The prevalence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) was 43%. Calcification of the mitral valve annulus was either less than or at least one-third of the posterior annulus (34% and 32%), the whole posterior annulus (28%) or the extension to the attachment of the anterior leaflets (7%). Severe circumferential MAC revealed moderate paravalvular leaks in 5/8 (63%) patients and was associated with right branch bundle block [odds ratio (OR) 2.01 (0.39–3.06); P = 0.098] and low cardiac output [OR 3.12 (1.39–7.04); P = 0.033]. Subannular calcification at the anterolateral trigonum represented a risk factor for left ventricular outflow tract injury [OR 3.54 (1.38–8.27); P = 0.001] in balloon-expandable valves, associated with relevant rhythm disorders [OR 2.26 (1.17–5.65); P = 0.014] and female gender (7/8, 88%). The 30-day all-cause mortality in circumferential MAC reaching into the anterior annulus (grade IV) compared to patients with less MAC (grade I–III) was 13% vs 2% with a mean valve size of 24.6 vs 25.7 mm.

CONCLUSIONS
Extensive MAC was associated with moderate paravalvular leaks, with implications for the prosthesis size and survival in transcatheter aortic valve implants. In severe MAC, we recommend implanting oversized self-expandable prostheses, the goal being to reduce the risk of right branch bundle block and paravalvular leaks.

Subj collection
122, 125
Field Heteronomy and Contingent Expertise: The Case of International Tax Justice
Authors: Vaughan Michael 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The international tax system is targeted by a diverse range of networked civil society actors, from critical professionals mobilizing their expertise to anti-austerity protestors targeting the consequences of tax dodging. The years following the 2008 financial crisis saw an increase in the range of these actors and their cooperation with one another. This paper argues that a transnational field analysis complements existing expertise-oriented approaches, by identifying the overarching objective of the tax justice agenda as increasing heteronomy in the international taxation field relative to political fields. This objective requires the mobilization of diverse resources across different fields, resulting in network relationships crossing field boundaries to contest inter-field relations, rather than any single bounded field struggle. The findings are supported by an analysis of tax justice advocacy after the 2008 financial crisis in the United Kingdom and Australia, including thirty-seven in-depth interviews with different organizations involved in the network.
Greenhouse gases and performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets containing wheat millrun and a multi-carbohydrase enzyme
Authors: Kpogo Agbee L , Jose Jismol , Panisson Josiane C , Agyekum Atta K , Predicala Bernardo Z , Alvarado Alvin C , Agnew Joy M , Sprenger Charley J , Beaulieu A Denise 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The objective of this project was to determine the impact of feeding growing pigs with high wheat millrun diets supplemented with a multi-carbohydrase enzyme (amylase, cellulase, glucanase, xylanase, and invertase activities) on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and greenhouse gas (GHG) output (carbon dioxide, CO2; nitrous oxide, N2O; methane, CH4). Three experiments were conducted utilizing six treatments arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial (0%, 15%, or 30% wheat millrun; with or without enzyme) for the digestibility experiment or as a 2 × 2 factorial (0% or 30% wheat millrun; with or without enzyme) for the performance and GHG experiments. The digestibility, performance, and GHG experiments utilized 48 individually housed pigs, 180 pigs housed 5 per pen, or 96 pigs housed 6 per chamber, respectively. Increasing wheat millrun up to 30% in the diet of growing pigs resulted in decreased energy, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) apparent total tract digestibility and net energy content (P &lt; 0.01). Overall, average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio were reduced in pigs fed wheat millrun (P &lt; 0.05). Enzyme supplementation had minimal effects on the digestibility or performance parameters measured. Feeding diets with 30% millrun did not affect GHG output (CH4: 4.7 and 4.9; N2O: 0.45 and 0.42; CO2: 1,610 and 1,711 mg/s without or with millrun inclusion, respectively; P &gt; 0.78). Enzyme supplementation had no effect on GHG emissions (CH4: 4.5 and 5.1; N2O: 0.46 and 0.42; CO2: 1,808 and 1,513 mg/s without or with enzymes, respectively; P &gt; 0.51). Overall, the carbohydrase enzyme had minimal effects on parameters measured, regardless of wheat millrun inclusion (P &gt; 0.10). Although energy, N and P digestibility, and ADG were reduced, the inclusion of up to 30% wheat millrun in the diet has no effect on GHG emissions from growing pigs (P &gt; 0.10).
Mind-Body (Hypnotherapy) Treatment of Women With Urgency Urinary Incontinence: Changes in Brain Attentional Networks
Authors: Ketai Loren H. , Komesu Yuko M. , Schrader Ronald M. , Rogers Rebecca G. , Sapien Robert E. , Dodd Andrew B. , Mayer Andrew R. 
Published: September 2021

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021;224:498.e1–498.e10)
Involuntary urine loss associated with a sudden sense of urgency, known as urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), affects millions of women and significantly impairs quality of life. Altered perceptual awareness has been theorized to play a role in UUI, with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) identifying specific brain sites that may function abnormally in these patients.
Scrofuloderma: A Rare Case Report of Sequelae of Intestinal Tuberculosis
Authors: Gupta Subhayan Das , Roy Rohon Das 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
Scrofuloderma is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis. It remains a significant medical challenge because its clinical manifestations mimic those of various other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Here, we report a 28-year-old man who had been diagnosed with intestinal tuberculosis but discontinued treatment.

Case presentation:
He subsequently presented with a 5-month history of multiple non-healing ulcerative lesions on the abdomen with no other significant clinical findings. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of an impression smear taken from the lesions was performed as the preliminary investigation and confirmed the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy specimen, PCR, and the Mantoux test also confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient began treatment with anti-tubercular drugs and his lesions gradually regressed.

Discussion:
The most common finding of scrofuloderma is a chronic, painless ulcerative lesion with purulent discharge. Cervical lymph nodes are frequently involved. These clinical features mimic several other bacterial and fungal conditions. However, Ziehl-Neelsen staining of the discharging ulcers can be used as a preliminary test to demonstrate acid fast bacilli in most of the cases. Histopathologic examination of skin biopsy specimen, culture on Lowenstein-Jensen media and PCR can confirm the diagnosis.

Conclusion:
Although Scrofuloderma is a rare cutaneous manifestation, it is curable with early diagnosis and prompt intervention of antitubercular drugs.
Vitamin D and Neurological Status in Sturge-Weber Syndrome
Authors: Smegal Lindsay F. , Lin Doris D. , Cho Andrew , Cho Subin (Claire) , Kalb Luther G. , Cohen Bernard , Germain-Lee Emily L. , Comi Anne M. 
Published: September 2021

Objective:
This study investigated the frequency of vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL) and insufficiency (21–29 ng/mL), as well as the relationship between vitamin D levels and neurologic function in Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS).

Methods:
Fifty-eight subjects with confirmed SWS and at least one serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level were studied. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were calculated. Nonparametric correlations analyzed relationships between vitamin D levels, neurological scores, and number of anticonvulsants. Demographics, SWS characteristics, MRI scores, and subject residence were considered.

Results:
Sixty-six percent of subjects had vitamin D levels below normal range. Abnormal levels occurred more frequently in Black or African Americans (P = 0.041) and subjects with more severe brain involvement (P = 0.027). Subjects with early seizure onset and bilateral brain involvement (n = 7) demonstrated greater improvements in hemiparesis with greater increases in vitamin D level (r = –0.791, P = 0.034). Subjects with greater than 3 lobes involved and early seizure onset showed larger improvements in hemiparesis with larger increases in vitamin D level (n = 10, r = –0.696, P = 0.025). Black or African Americans (n = 9) demonstrated greater improvements in total neurologic score (r = –0.865, P = 0.003) and hemiparesis (r = –0.697, P = 0.037) with greater increases in vitamin D level.

Conclusion:
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in patients with SWS. Improvements in neurologic function may be seen with supplementation, especially in Black or African Americans as well as in severely affected patients, suggesting the utility of vitamin D as a therapeutic intervention. More research is needed to confirm and extend these findings.
Nurse practitioners have a vital role in achieving health equity in clinical cancer genetics
Authors: Fasaye Grace-Ann , Liu Yi , Calzone Kathleen 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT
Long-standing and persistent racial inequities exist in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Genetic medicine has the promise to significantly advance the identification of at-risk individuals and facilitate prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. Genetic testing is increasingly becoming incorporated into the screening-to-treatment continuum of care for cancer. Although genetic technologies are relatively new to the cancer care landscape, racial inequities already exist in awareness, access, referral, and uptake. Nurses play a vital role in achieving health equity, but success requires that nurses understand, recognize and take action to overcome the factors that have fostered health inequities.