bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The damping properties of the foam-filled shaft of primary feathers of the pigeon Columba livia
Authors: Deng K. , Kovalev A. , Rajabi H. , Schaber C. F. , Dai Z. D. , Gorb S. N. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe avian feather combines mechanical properties of robustness and flexibility while maintaining a low weight. Under periodic and random dynamic loading, the feathers sustain bending forces and vibrations during flight. Excessive vibrations can increase noise, energy consumption, and negatively impact flight stability. However, damping can alter the system response, and result in increased stability and reduced noise. Although the structure of feathers has already been studied, little is known about their damping properties. In particular, the link between the structure of shafts and their damping is unknown. This study aims at understanding the structure-damping relationship of the shafts. For this purpose, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) was used to measure the damping properties of the feather shaft in three segments selected from the base, middle, and tip. A combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) was used to investigate the gradient microstructure of the shaft. The results showed the presence of two fundamental vibration modes, when mechanically excited in the horizontal and vertical directions. It was also found that the base and middle parts of the shaft have higher damping ratios than the tip, which could be attributed to their larger foam cells, higher foam/cortex ratio, and higher percentage of foam. This study provides the first indication of graded damping properties in feathers.
The utility of prostate MRI within active surveillance: description of the evidence
Authors: Dominique Georgina , Brisbane Wayne G. , Reiter Robert E. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
We present an overview of the literature regarding the use of MRI in active surveillance of prostate cancer.

Methods
Both MEDLINE® and Cochrane Library were queried up to May 2020 for studies of men on active surveillance with MRI and later confirmatory biopsy. The terms studied were ‘prostate cancer’ as the anchor followed by two of the following: active surveillance, surveillance, active monitoring, MRI, NMR, magnetic resonance imaging,  MRI, and multiparametric MRI. Studies were excluded if pathologic reclassification (GG1 →  ≥ GG2) and PI-RADS or equivalent was not reported.

Results
Within active surveillance, baseline MRI is effective for identifying clinically significant prostate cancer and thus associated with fewer reclassification events. A positive initial MRI (≥ PI-RADS 3) with GG1 identified at biopsy has a positive predictive value (PPV) of 35–40% for reclassification by 3 years. MRI possessed a stronger negative predictive value, with a negative MRI (≤ PI-RADS 2) yielding a negative predictive value of up to 85% at 3 years. Surveillance MRI, obtained after initial biopsy, yielded a PPV of 11–65% and NPV of 85–95% for reclassification.

Conclusion
MRI is useful for initial risk stratification of prostate cancer in men on active surveillance, especially if MRI is negative when imaging is obtained during surveillance. While useful, MRI cannot replace biopsy and further research is necessary to fully integrate MRI into active surveillance.
Palaeoenvironmental context and significance of ferruginous tubular bioforms and other authigenic mineral formations in source-to-sink sedimentary systems
Authors: López-Pérez A. E. , Rubio B. , Rey D. , Plaza-Morlote M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSurficial sediments on the seafloor from passive continental margins can provide insight into recent Late Quaternary sedimentary dynamics acting over offshore sedimentary systems. This work focuses on the study of some particular ferruginous tubular structures resembling bioforms (FTB) located in the distal Galician Continental Margin (NW Iberian Margin) at water depths between ~ 1550 and ~ 2200 m. The characterisation of these structures made it possible to study in depth their formation environment and subsequent sedimentary evolution during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The FTB consist of goethite with a framboidal texture. They were interpreted as formed by an initial pyrite precipitation in reducing microenvironments conditioned by the activity of sediment-dwelling organisms during the early diagenesis. This is followed by the oxidation of pyrite by a combination of hydrothermal fluids and erosional processes, which triggers the formation of the framboidal oxyhydroxides. The data allowed obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the environmental context and the significance of these ferruginous tubules, as there are no previous studies in the scientific literature that describe these structures in a source-to-sink sedimentary system.
Ultra-processed food consumption in adults across Europe
Authors: Mertens Elly , Colizzi Chiara , Peñalvo José L. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to
describe ultra-processed food and drinks (UPFDs) consumption, and associations with intake of total sugar and dietary fibre, and high BMI in adults across Europe.

Methods
Using food consumption data collected by food records or 24-h dietary recalls available from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, the foods consumed were classified by the level of processing using the NOVA classification. Diet quality was assessed by data linkage to the Dutch food composition tables (NEVO) and years lived with disability for high BMI from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Bivariate groupings were carried out to explore associations of UPFDs consumption with population intake of sugar and dietary fibre, and BMI burden, visualised by scatterplots.

Results
The energy share from UPFDs varied markedly across the 22 European countries included, ranging from 14 to 44%, being the lowest in Italy and Romania, while the highest in the UK and Sweden. An overall modest decrease (2–15%) in UPFDs consumption is observed over time, except for Finland, Spain and the UK reporting increases (3–9%). Fine bakery wares and soft drinks were most frequently ranked as the main contributor. Countries with a higher sugar intake reported also a higher energy share from UPFDs, as most clearly observed for UPF (r = 0.57, p value = 0.032 for men; and r = 0.53, p value = 0.061 for women). No associations with fibre intake or high BMI were observed.

Conclusion
Population-level UPFDs consumption substantially varied across Europe, although main contributors are similar. UPFDs consumption was not observed to be associated with country-level burden of high BMI, despite being related to a higher total sugar intake.
Fractures and skin lesions in pediatric abusive head trauma: a forensic multi-center study
Authors: Feld Katharina , Ricken Tim , Feld Dustin , Helmus Janine , Hahnemann Maria , Schenkl Sebastian , Muggenthaler Holger , Pfeiffer Heidi , Banaschak Sibylle , Karger Bernd , Wittschieber Daniel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAbusive head trauma (AHT) and its most common variant, the shaken baby syndrome (SBS), are predominantly characterized by central nervous system-associated lesions. Relatively little data are available on the value of skeletal and skin injuries for the diagnosis of SBS or AHT. Thus, the present study retrospectively investigated 72 cases of living children diagnosed with the explicit diagnosis of SBS during medico-legal examinations at three German university institutes of legal medicine. The risk of circular reasoning was reduced by the presence of 15 cases with confession by perpetrators. Accordingly, the comparison with the 57 non-confession cases yielded no significant differences. Skeletal survey by conventional projection radiography, often incomplete, was found to be performed in 78% of the cases only. Fractures were found in 32% of the cases. The skull (43%) and ribs (48%) were affected most frequently; only 8% of the cases showed classic metaphyseal lesions. In 48% of the cases, healing fractures were present. Skin lesions (hematomas and abrasions) were found in 53% of the cases with the face (76%), scalp (26%), and trunk (50%) being the major sites. In 48% of the cases, healing skin lesions were observed. Nearly 80% of the cases with fractures also showed skin lesions. The data prove that SBS is frequently accompanied by other forms of physical abuse. Therefore, skeletal survey is indispensable and should always be done completely and according to existing imaging guidelines if child abuse is suspected.
Association between inflammatory biomarkers and acute respiratory distress syndrome or acute lung injury risk
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Liu Daishun , Wang Zhihua , Zou Yugang , Wang Haixia , Li Xiao , Zheng Deliang , Zhou Guoqi 
Published: December 2021

Summary
Background
The relationship between acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)/acute lung injury (ALI) and levels of certain inflammatory factors remains controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to summarize the available studies evaluating the association between levels of inflammatory factors and ARDS/ALI incidence.

Methods
We searched the PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane databases for studies published up to July 2017. For each inflammatory factor, a random effects model was employed to pool results from different studies.

Results
We identified 63 studies that included 6243 patients in our meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that the levels of angiopoietin (ANG)-2 (standard mean difference, SMD: 1.34; P < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-1β (SMD: 0.92; P = 0.012), IL‑6 (SMD: 0.66; P = 0.005), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (SMD: 0.98; P = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with ARDS/ALI than in unaffected individuals. No significant differences were observed between patients with ARDS/ALI and unaffected individuals in terms of the levels of IL‑8 (SMD: 0.61; P = 0.159), IL-10 (SMD: 1.10; P = 0.231), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 (SMD: 0.70; P = 0.060).

Conclusions
ARDS/ALI is associated with a significantly elevated levels of ANG‑2, IL-1β, IL‑6, and TNF‑α, but not with IL‑8, IL-10, and PAI‑1 levels.
The prevalence of CT-defined low skeletal muscle mass in patients with metastatic cancer: a cross-sectional multicenter French study (the SCAN study)
Authors: Raynard Bruno , Pigneur Frederic , Di Palma Mario , Deluche Elise , Goldwasser François 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background
Cachexia, characterized by involuntary muscle mass loss, negatively impacts survival outcomes, treatment tolerability, and functionality in cancer patients. However, there is a limited appreciation of the true prevalence of low muscle mass due to inconsistent diagnostic methods and limited oncologist awareness.

Methods
Twenty-nine French healthcare establishments participated in this cross-sectional study, recruiting patients with those metastatic cancers most frequently encountered in routine practice (colon, breast, kidney, lung, prostate). The primary outcome was low skeletal muscle mass prevalence, as diagnosed by estimating the skeletal mass index (SMI) in the middle of the third-lumbar vertebrae (L3) level via computed tomography (CT). Other objectives included an evaluation of nutritional management, physical activity, and toxicities related to ongoing treatment.

Results
Seven hundred sixty-six patients (49.9% males) were enrolled with a mean age of 65.0 years. Low muscle mass prevalence was 69.1%. Only one-third of patients with low skeletal muscle mass were receiving nutritional counselling and only 28.4% were under nutritional management (oral supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition). Physicians highly underdiagnosed those patients identified with low skeletal muscle mass, as defined by the primary objective, by 74.3% and 44.9% in obese and non-obese patients, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed a lower risk of low skeletal muscle mass for females (OR: 0.22, P < 0.01) and those without brain metastasis (OR: 0.34, P < 0.01). Low skeletal muscle mass patients were more likely to have delayed treatment administration due to toxicity (11.9% versus 6.8%, P = 0.04).

Conclusions
There is a critical need to raise awareness of low skeletal muscle mass diagnosis among oncologists, and for improvements in nutritional management and physical therapies of cancer patients to curb potential cachexia. This calls for cross-disciplinary collaborations among oncologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and radiologists.
Counter-reporting sustainability from the bottom up: the case of the construction company WeBuild and dam-related conflicts
Authors: Bontempi Antonio , Del Bene Daniela , Di Felice Louisa Jane 
Published: December 2021

AbstractControversies around large-scale development projects offer many cases and insights which may be analyzed through the lenses of corporate social (ir)responsibility (CSIR) and business ethics studies. In this paper, we confront the CSR narratives and strategies of WeBuild (formerly known as Salini Impregilo), an Italian transnational construction company. Starting from the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice (EJAtlas), we collect evidence from NGOs, environmental justice organizations, journalists, scholars, and community leaders on socio-environmental injustices and controversies surrounding 38 large hydropower schemes built by the corporation throughout the last century. As a counter-reporting exercise, we code (un)sustainability discourses from a plurality of sources, looking at their discrepancy under the critical lenses of post-normal science and political ecology, with environmental justice as a normative framework. Our results show how the mismatch of narratives can be interpreted by considering the voluntary, self-reporting, non-binding nature of CSR accounting performed by a corporation wishing to grow in a global competitive market. Contributing to critical perspectives on political CS(I)R, we question the reliability of current CSR mechanisms and instruments, calling for the inclusion of complexity dimensions in and a re-politicization of CS(I)R accounting and ethics. We argue that the fields of post-normal science and political ecology can contribute to these goals.
Disruptive Technologies for Achieving Supply Chain Resilience in COVID-19 Era: An Implementation Case Study of Satellite Imagery and Blockchain Technologies in Fish Supply Chain
Authors: Sengupta Tuhin , Narayanamurthy Gopalakrishnan , Moser Roger , Pereira Vijay , Bhattacharjee Devleena 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn supply chains where stakeholders belong to the economically disadvantaged segment and form an important part of the supply chain distribution, the complexities grow manifold. Fisheries in developing nations are one such sector where the complexity is not only due to the produce being perishable but also due to the livelihood dependence of others in the coastal regions that belong to the section of economically disadvantaged. This paper explains the contextual challenges of fish supply chain in a developing country and describes how integrating disruptive technologies can address those challenges. Through a positive deviance approach, we show how firms can help unorganized supply chains with economically disadvantaged suppliers by carefully redesigning the supply chain through the integration of satellite imagery and blockchain technology. With COVID-19 in the backdrop, we highlight how such technologies significantly improves the supply chain resilience and at the same time contributes to the income generating opportunities of poor fisherfolks in developing nations. Our study has important implications to both developing markets and food supply chain practitioners as this paper tackles issues such as perishability, demand-supply mismatch, unfair prices, and quality related data transparency in the entire value chain.
Long-term trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and predictive value of first dose vaccination-induced IgG-antibodies in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Tillmann F. P. , Still H. , von Landenberg Philipp 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The predictive value of antibody titers after the first SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and long-term trajectories of antibody titers in hemodialysis patients are unknown.

Methods
SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and their neutralizing effect six weeks after the first and second vaccination were analysed in 30 hemodialysis patients. IgG titers served to classify participants as responders or non-responders and to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Associations between potential risk factors and post-vaccine non-response were analysed by Mann–Whitney-U test and Chi-Squared test. Long-term follow-up analysis (ANOVA) on the evolution of neutralizing IgG-titers was performed in 24 participants 94 and 135 days after the second immunization.

Results
IgG antibodies ≥ 1 AU/L (mean 9 ± 20 AU/L) after the first dose were found in 20 patients (66.7%). After the second dose only two participants (6.7%) remained sero-negative and 16.6% showed neutralizing levels below 30%, whereas 25 patients showed IgG antibodies with the high neutralizing activity of 86 ± 18%. Positive IgG antibodies 6 weeks after the first vaccination predicted vaccination effectiveness after two cycles with a specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 76%, and accuracy of 87%. Even low-dose immunosuppressive therapy increased the relative risk for non-response after the first and second dose 1.9 (95% CI 0.8–4.6) and 4.9 (95% CI 1.0–23.8) times, respectively. Over a period of about 4.5 months IgG titers slowly declined by 51% from baseline or by 0.45 AU/mL per day, respectively.

Conclusion
Two cycles of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination-induced high seroconversion rates comparable to the general population. Immunosuppressive medication is a major risk factor for vaccination non-response. Mounted IgG antibodies showed a high neutralizing capacity as evidence of protective effectiveness. IgG antibodies after the first dose may serve to predict later vaccination outcome. Patients on dialysis display a more rapid decline in antibody titers on long-term follow-up compared to healthy controls.
Intradialytic nutrition and quality of life in Chilean older patients in hemodialysis with protein-energy wasting
Authors: Ayala Mariana , Marchant Margarita , Hertz Cristina , Castillo Gloria 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The study assessed the impact of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation on the quality of life in patients receiving hemodialysis and diagnosed with protein energy wasting.

Methods
A pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted before and after 3 months of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation on 109 older hemodialysis patients. We measured before and after 3 months of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation, the quality of life score, the burden of kidney disease, three quality of life scales and the mental and physical health status using KDQoL-SF™ 1.3, body composition and biochemical parameters of nutritional condition.

Results
The mean age of the patients was 69.4 ± 3.4 years, 59% were male, and the time on dialysis was 63.5 ± 52.6 months. Comparing the baseline with month 3 of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation, we observed to better quality of life. In contrast to malnutrition, score, specifically increased significantly score of symptoms/problems list related to hemodialysis, sexual function, social and cognitive function, sleep, pain, energy/fatigue and general state of health. Significant changes were also found in nutritional status, energy intake and body composition indicators. After 3 months of intradialytic oral nutritional supplementation, we observed a nutritional status recovery in one or more indicators in 92% of the patients.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate that 3 months of intradialysis oral nutritional supplementation improves the components of physical and mental quality of life and nutritional status in older patients receiving hemodialysis diagnosed with loss of protein energy. These results are relevant to improve the experience of patients with protein energy loss receiving hemodialysis.
Integrating water quality index, GIS and multivariate statistical techniques towards a better understanding of drinking water quality
Authors: Masood Adil , Aslam Mohammad , Pham Quoc Bao , Khan Warish , Masood Sarfaraz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGroundwater is considered as an imperative component of the accessible water assets across the world. Due to urbanization, industrialization and intensive farming practices, the groundwater resources have been exposed to large-scale depletion and quality degradation. The prime objective of this study was to evaluate the groundwater quality for drinking purposes in Mewat district of Haryana, India. For this purpose, twenty-five groundwater samples were collected from hand pumps and tube wells spread over the entire district. Samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), turbidity, total alkalinity (TA), cations and anions in the laboratory using the standard methods. Two different water quality indices (weighted arithmetic water quality index and entropy weighted water quality index) were computed to characterize the groundwater quality of the study area. Ordinary Kriging technique was applied to generate spatial distribution map of the WQIs. Four semivariogram models, i.e. circular, spherical, exponential and Gaussian were used and found to be the best fit for analyzing the spatial variability in terms of weighted arithmetic index (GWQI) and entropy weighted water quality index (EWQI). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were applied to provide additional scientific insights into the information content of the groundwater quality data available for this study. The interpretation of WQI analysis based on GWQI and EWQI reveals that 64% of the samples belong to the “poor” to “very poor” bracket. The result for the semivariogram modeling also shows that Gaussian model obtains the best fit for both EWQI and GWQI dataset. HCA classified 25 sampling locations into three main clusters of similar groundwater characteristics. DA validated these clusters and identified a total of three significant variables (pH, EC and Cl) by adopting stepwise method. The application of PCA resulted in three factors explaining 69.81% of the total variance. These factors reveal how processes like rock water interaction, urban waste discharge and mineral dissolution affect the groundwater quality.