bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New single-electron pump regime with highly controllable plateaus
Authors: Howe Hume , Blumenthal Mark , Beere Harvey , Mitchell Thomas , Ritchie David , Pepper Michael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Future quantum based electronic systems will demand robust and highly accurate on-demand sources of current. Generating quantised current has immediate implications for quantum computing, quantum metrology, and electron interferometry. The ultimate limit of quantised current sources is a highly controllable device that manipulates individual electrons. We present a new single-electron pump mechanism, realised in a GaAs two-dimensional electron gas, where electrons are pumped through a one-dimensional split-gate confinement potential rather than more conventionally over a finger-gate potential. This new mechanism yields a new long pumping regime with quantised plateaus that are over two orders of magnitude longer than conventional pumps, and are extremely stable with respect to the applied voltages on the gates. The long plateaus are achieved via the combination of a saddle-point potential profile and enhanced quantum tunnelling, wherein the potential barrier height and shape are modified by the application of a source-drain bias. This new pumping regime cannot be explained by the simple geometrical electrostatic models or back-tunnelling theory that are used to describe conventional single-electron pumps, and we use a simple electrostatic model applied to split-gate confined pumps to explain some of the source-drain bias dependence.
Valorization of cigarette butts for top value-added chemicals: Levulinic Acid
Authors: Laurenza Amelita G. , Losito Onofrio , Casiello Michele , fusco caterina , Nacci Angelo , Pantone Vincenzo , D'Accolti Lucia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Levulinic acid (LA), one of the top value-added intermediates of chemical industry, can be obtained by thermal hydrolysis (at 200 °C) from cigarette butts (as cellulose feedstock) catalysed by phosphoric acidic. The protocol avoids the use of more aggressive H2SO4 and HCl, that are generally employed on several cellulose sources (e.g. sludge paper), thus minimizing corrosion phenomena of plants. Neither chemical pre-treatment of butts nor specific purification procedure of LA are required. Notably, by simply modifying acid catalyst (e.g. using CH3COOH), another top value-added fine chemical such as 5-hydroxymethylfuraldehyde (HMF) is obtained, thus widening the scope of the method.Being cigarette filters a waste available in quantities of megatonnes per year, they represent an unlimited at no cost source of cellulose, thus enabling the up-scale to an industrial level of LA production.
An analysis of the potential global impact of dosing regimen and rollout options for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine
Authors: Aguas Ricardo , Bharath Anouska , White Lisa , Gao Bo , Voysey Merryn , Pollard Andrew , Shretta Rima 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented health and economic burden on countries at all levels of socioeconomic development, emphasizing the need to evaluate the most effective vaccination strategy in multiple, diverse environments. The high reported efficacy, low cost, and long shelf-life of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine positions it well for evaluation in different settings. Methods Using data from the ongoing ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 clinical trials, an individual-based model was constructed to predict the 6-month population-level impact of vaccine deployment. A detailed probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) was developed to evaluate the importance of epidemiological, demographic, immunological, and logistical factors in determining vaccine effectiveness. Using representative countries, logistical plans for vaccination rollout at various levels of vaccine availability and delivery speed, conditional on vaccine efficacy profiles (efficacy of the booster dose, time interval between doses, and relative efficacy of the first dose) were explored.Findings and Interpretation Our results highlight how expedient vaccine delivery to high-risk groups is critical in mitigating COVID-19 disease and mortality. In scenarios where the number of vaccine doses available is insufficient for high-risk groups (those aged more than 65 years) to receive two vaccine doses, administration of a single dose of vaccine is optimal. This effect is consistent even when vaccine efficacy after one dose is just 75% of the levels achieved after two doses. These findings offer a nuanced perspective of the critical drivers of COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness and can inform optimal allocation strategies. These are relevant to high-income countries with a large high-risk group population as well as to low-income countries with younger populations, where the cost and logistical challenges of procuring and delivering two doses for each citizen represent a significant challenge.
Enriched gardens improve cognition and independence of nursing home residents with dementia: a controlled trial
Authors: Bourdon Etienne , Belmin Joel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Dementia is a major issue worldwide, and considerable efforts were made to design therapeutic mediation tools and evaluate their benefits on the health of patients. Methods:Design: Multi-center cluster-controlled trial. Settings and participants: Four nursing homes that offered separated access to one conventional sensory garden (CSG) and one enriched garden (EG). The participants were residents with dementia, independent for walking and with no severe dementia or behavioural troubles. Eligible residents were distributed into three groups based on the proximity of their rooms to the CSG or EG for the first two groups respectively, and without easy access to either garden for the third (control) group. Interventions: We asked staff members to frequently invite residents to visit the EG or the CSG depending on their group allocation. No invitation to gardens was made to the controls. We installed 12 enrichment modules in the EG that stimulated cognitive and walking/balance functions.Measures: Cognitive function (MMSE), independence for activities of daily living (ADL) and risk of falls (unipodal stance and Timed up and go – (TUG)) were assessed at baseline and after six months.Results: The 120 participants were 81·0 +/- 3·5 years old and comprised of 83 women. Their MMSE score was 17·5 +/- 2·9. Patients characteristics were not significantly different between the three groups. Among the participants invited to visit the EG group, six months changes in MMSE showed improved compared to other groups (+ 0·93 +/- 0·65 vs -0·25 +/- 0·71 and -0·24 +/- 0·73 in the EG vs CSG and control groups, respectively, P < 0·0001). Changes in ADL, TUG and unipodal stance were significantly improved in the group visiting the EG as compared to other groups, which indicates better functioning. Conclusions: EGs offer a new approach to therapeutic mediation for residents of nursing homes with dementia.
Ephrin-A3 Is Required for Tonotopic Map Precision and Auditory Function in the Mouse Auditory Brainstem
Authors: Hoshino Natalia , Altarshan Yazan , Alzein Ahmad , Fernando Amali , Nguyen Hieu , Majewski Emma , Chen Vincent , Rochlin M. William , Yu Wei-Ming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Tonotopy is a prominent feature of the vertebrate auditory system and forms the basis for sound discrimination, but the molecular mechanism underlying its formation remain largely elusive. Ephrin/Eph signaling is known to play important roles in axon guidance during topographic mapping in other sensory systems. Here, we determined that ephrin-A3 molecules are expressed in a ventral to dorsal descending gradient along the tonotopic axis in developing mouse cochlear nucleus. During cochlear nucleus innervation by auditory nerve fibers, ephrin-A3 forward signaling can repel these fibers in a stage-dependent manner. In ephrin-A3 mutant animals, the tonotopic map is degraded and isofrequency bands of neuronal activation become imprecise in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Ephrin-A3 mutants also exhibit a delayed second wave in auditory brainstem responses and impaired detection sound frequency changes. Our findings establish an essential role for ephrin-A3 in forming precise tonotopy in the auditory brainstem to ensure accurate sound discrimination.
Research on geometric error modelling and decoupling of machine tool based on NURBS projection curve
Authors: LI WEI , Feng Yanyan , Zhang Shihui , Zuo Wei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
As a geometric measuring instrument of machine tool, double ball bar (DBB) instrument can effectively identify the geometric error of machine tool. In the existing literature, DBB mostly uses the two-dimensional circle as the identification trajectory to identify the geometric error continuously, and the most efficient way of single recognition is still in two-dimensional plane. Aiming at the low efficiency of DBB spatial geometric error recognition, the recognition range of DBB is extended from two-dimensional plane to spatial hemisphere. A method of space recognition and decoupling based on NURBS projection curve is proposed in this paper. The error decoupling of feed axis and rotation axis is realized in an experiment. The identification method has the characteristics of high efficiency, no secondary assembly and avoiding interference. It can decouple all the five axes in hemispherical space at one time and get the effective solution.
Satisfaction among patients and caregivers receiving value-added services during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in a tertiary hospital in the Perak state of Malaysia
Authors: CHEW Lan-Sim , YEO Yee-Ling , CHANG Chee-Tao , CHEW Chii-Chii , GEORGE Doris , RAJAN Philip 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPatient satisfaction was used as an indicator of service quality in the public hospitals. The pharmacy value-added services was intensified after the COVID-19 outbreak, and evaluation of user’s satisfaction was important for service improvement. MethodsThis was a single-center, cross-sectional, web-based study in the outpatient pharmacy in a tertiary hospital in the Perak state of Malaysia. Patients and caregivers aged 18 years and above, received at least one prescription refill using the pharmacy VAS services from April to September 2020 were included. The questionnaire was adapted from a validated tool, underwent face and content validation before dissemination. The link was disseminated to the targeted population through short messages service (SMS).Results Out of 333 invited people, 303 agreed to participate. Majority of the respondents were male (160, 52.8%), Chinese (156, 51.5%), with tertiary education (201, 66.3%) and retiree (112, 37.0%). Out of a maximum score of 5, the overall mean satisfaction score was 4.42 (SD: 0.55). The respondents were most agreeable to time saving benefits of the pharmacy VAS (4.56±0.63). Majority of the respondents felt that pharmacy VAS had made their life easier (290, 95.7%) and planned to recommend the pharmacy VAS to others (292, 96.4%) Respondents aged more than 60 (vs. age 18-35, β=2.375, p<0.001) and those who used drive-through service (vs. SPUB, β=2.272, p=0.001) reported higher satisfaction scores. Several suggestions were made for service improvement, including longer operating hours (18, 6.0%), upgraded communication system (9, 3.0%), smoother registration process (9, 3.0%), more polite staff (9, 3.0%), selection of preferred postage delivery time (6, 2.0%) and promotion of value-added services (4, 1.3%)Conclusion Majority of the respondents were highly satisfied towards the pharmacy VAS. Future studies should compare the satisfaction of VAS with traditional counter service to compare the level and factors contributed to the users’ satisfaction.
Estimation of invasive Group B Streptococcus disease risk in young infants from case-control serological studies
Authors: Izu Alane , Kwatra Gaurav , Madhi Shabir A , Rigat Fabio 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections are a major cause of invasive disease (IGbsD) in young infants and cause miscarriage and stillbirths. Immunization of pregnant women against GBS in addition to intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis could prevent disease. Establishing accurate serological markers of protection against IGbsD could enable use of efficient clinical trial designs for vaccine development and licensure, without needing to undertake efficacy trials in prohibitively large number of mother-infant dyads. The association of maternal naturally acquired serotype-specific anti-capsular antibodies (IgG) against serotype-specific IGbsD in their infants has been studied in case-control studies. The statistical models used so far to estimate IGbsD risk from these case-control studies assumed that the antibody concentrations measured sharing the same disease status are sampled from the same population, not allowing for differences between mothers colonised by GBS and mothers also potentially infected (e.g urinary tract infection or chorioamnionitis) by GBS during pregnancy. This distinction is relevant as infants born from infected mothers with occult medical illness may be exposed to GBS prior to the mother developing antibodies measured in maternal or infant sera. Methods: Unsupervised mixture model averaging (MMA) is proposed and applied here to accurately estimate infant IGbsD risk from case-control study data in presence or absence of antibody concentration subgroups potentially associated to maternal GBS carriage or infection. MMA estimators are compared to non-parametric disease risk estimators in simulation studies and by analysis of two published GBS case-control studies. Results: MMA provides more accurate relative risk estimates under a broad range of data simulation scenarios and more accurate absolute disease risk estimates when the proportion of IGbsD cases with high antibody levels is not ignorable. MMA estimates of the relative and absolute disease risk curves are more amenable to clinical interpretation compared to non-parametric estimates with no detectable overfitting of the data. Antibody concentration thresholds predictive of protection from infant IGbsD estimated by MMA from maternal and infant sera are consistent with non-parametric estimates. Conclusions: MMA is a flexible and robust method for design, accurate analysis and clinical interpretation of case-control studies estimating relative and absolute IGbsD risk from antibody concentrations measured at or after birth.
Effects of different plasma target concentrations of remifentanil on the MACBAR of sevoflurane in children with laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Yang Xiao-lin , Wang Dan , Xu Juan , Guy YanXia , Jiang Ping-Ping , Zhang Guoyuan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the effects of different plasma target concentrations of remifentanil on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for blocking adrenergic response (BAR) of sevoflurane in children with laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.MethodsSeventy five children with 3–7 years old scheduled for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy were randomly divided into group R0, group R1, and group R2 according to different remifentanil plasma target concentration (0, 1, and 2 ng/ml), respectively. The MACBAR of sevoflurane was determined by the up-and-down and sequential method in each group. The concentrations of epinephrine and noradrenaline were also determined at corresponding time points.ResultsIn groups R0, R1, and R2, the MACBAR of sevoflurane was (3.29 ± 0.17)%, (2.12 ± 0.10)% and (1.29 ± 0.11)%, respectively, and a significant difference was found among the three groups (P < 0.05). The changes of epinephrine and noradrenaline concentrations in each group before and after insufflation of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum showed no significant differences.ConclusionRemifentanil by target-controlled infusion can effectively reduce the MACBAR of sevoflurane during laparoscopic surgery in children. At a similar effect of MACBAR, both the changes of epinephrine and noradrenaline concentrations are not affected by the infusion of different remifentanil target concentrations.Trial registrationThe trial was registered in the China Clinical Trial Center(http://www.chictr.org.cn) in advance (the registry number is ChiCTR1800019393.).
Chiroptical activity of hydroxycarboxylic acids: implications for the origin of biological homochirality
Authors: Bocková Jana , Jones Nykola , Meierhenrich Uwe , Hoffmann Søren , Meinert Cornelia 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Circularly polarised light (CPL) interacting with interstellar organic molecules might have imparted chiral bias and hence preluded prebiotic evolution of biomolecular homochirality. The l-enrichment of extra-terrestrial amino acids in meteorites, as opposed to no detectable excess in monocarboxylic acids and amines, has previously been attributed to their intrinsic interaction with stellar CPL revealed by substantial differences in their chiroptical signals. Recent analyses of meteoritic hydroxycarboxylic acids (HCAs) – potential co-building blocks of ancestral proto-peptides – showed an enantiomeric excess in l-lactic acid. Here we report on novel anisotropy spectra of several HCAs using a synchrotron radiation electronic circular dichroism spectrophotometer to support the re-evaluation of chiral biomarkers of extra-terrestrial origin in the context of absolute photochirogenesis. We found that irradiation by CPL which would yield l-excess in amino acids would also yield lexcess in aliphatic chain HCAs including lactic acid as well as mandelic acid in the examined conditions. Only tartaric acid would show “unnatural” d-enrichment, which makes it a suitable target compound for further assessing the relevance of the CPL scenario.
Spontaneous and cooperative mechanical work by cardiomyocyte aggregates under mechanical compression
Authors: Nakano Ken , Nanri Naoya , Tsukamoto Yoshinari , Akashi Mitsuru 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Since the discovery of synchronous pulsations in cardiomyocytes (CMs), electrical communication between CMs has been emphasized; however, recent studies suggest the possibility of mechanical communication. Here, we demonstrate that spherical self-beating CM aggregates, termed cardiac spheroids (CSs), produce enhanced mechanical energy under mechanical compression and work cooperatively via mechanical communication. For single CSs between parallel plates, compression increased both beating frequency and beating energy. Contact mechanics revealed a scaling law on the beating energy, indicating that the most intensively stressed cells in the compressed CSs predominantly contributed to the performance of mechanical work against mechanical compression. For pairs of CSs between parallel plates, compression immediately caused synchronous beating with mechanical coupling. Compression tended to strengthen and stabilize the synchronous beating, although some irregularity and temporary arrest were observed. These results suggest that mechanical compression is an indispensable environmental variable for evaluating the activities of CMs and their aggregates.
Physical examination performed by general practitioners in 5 community health service institutions in Beijing: an observational study
Authors: Wei Yun , Wang Feiyue , Pan Zhaolu , Wang Meirong , Jin Guanghui , Lu Xiaoqin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPhysical examination is a central part of consultation. Evidence showed that clinical use of physical examination in hospital has decreased, but little is known about physical examination performed by general practitioners in community health service institutions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate general practitioners’ performance of physical examination in community health service institutions in Beijing.MethodsAn observational study was conducted in 5 community health service institutions in Beijing, China between November 2019 and January 2020. And 11 participated general practitioners were observed for one workday. Information was recorded including patient characteristics, patient reasons for encounter, physical examinations provided by general practitioners, the length of consultation and time spent on specific activities in consultations.ResultsA total of 682 consultations were recorded from 11 general practitioners. Physical examination occurred in 15.8% of the consultations. Among the recorded 126 examinations, most were distributed in “Head, face, and neck examination” (n = 54, 42.9%) and “Cardiovascular examination” (n = 55, 43.7%), and no physical examination was performed on skin, male genitalia, female breasts and genitalia, and neurological systems. A total of 2823 minutes of activities were recorded. general practitioners only spent 3.1% of their time on physical examination, less than the time spent on taking history (18.2%), test (4.9%), diagnosis (22.7%), therapy (38.4%), and health education (8.6%). The mean length of time spent on physical examination portions was 0.8 ± 0.4 minutes.ConclusionPhysical examination was infrequently performed by general practitioners in community health service institutions in Beijing. More time and attention were needed for general practitioners performing a careful and appropriate physical examination in primary care.
Analgesic Interaction Between Morphine with Fentanyl In Experimental Murine Pain
Authors: Miranda Hugo F , Noriega Viviana , Sierralta Fernando , Sotomayor-Zarate Ramon , Prieto Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Opioids are among the most effective pain relievers available, however multimodal antinociception between opioids, has not been extensively studied in diverse animal pain models.In this study the pharmacological interaction of morphine with fentanyl was evaluated in different murine pain models by means of isobolographic analysis. In control animals, morphine and fentanyl produced a dose-related antinociceptive action in the murine assays and the rank of potency was: formalin hind paw phase I > formalin phase II > tail flick. Coadministration of morphine with fentanyl, in a fixed relation 1:1 of their ED50, produces a dose response in all tests and the isobologram resulted in synergism. Fentanyl was more effective than morphine which could be explained according the suggestion that opioids could be acting through other targets, with different binding capacity thru the regulation or activation of non-opioid receptors. Co-administration of morphine with fentanyl induces synergism in all murine trials, confirming the antinociceptive capacity of both opioids which would constitute a promisory idea to multimodal treatment of pain.
Research on Scale Demonstration Technology of Inter Basin Water Transfer Project in Agricultural Irrigation
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Hou Baodeng , Zhao Yong , Xiao Weihua , Lu Fan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Inter-basin water transfer projects are powerful measures for resolving the uneven distribution of water resources, but their scale directly affects the associated investment and income. Therefore, determining the scale of an inter-basin water transfer project is essential. Based on the inter-basin agricultural water transfer project in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China, combined with the suitable development scale of the irrigation area with the joint allocation of existing water sources, this research proposes a technique to demonstrate the scale of an inter-basin water transfer project based on dynamic trial feedback under the condition of the optimization method of despiking of the groundwater allocation; the water transfer project scale is demonstrated for each section in reverse order. According to the water demand prediction results in the study area, the scale of water transfer project BC is demonstrated, and the scale of water transfer project AB is demonstrated on the basis of the BC scale. The final AB and BC water transfer scales decrease by 15% and 13%, respectively, compared with the conventional method under the premise that the water supply guarantee rate is 75%. When the water is transferred, the process is stable, and the utilization rate of the canal is high, thereby saving investment funds and facilitating project scheduling and management.