bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of an Impaired PDT Response
Authors: Kessel David , Cho Won Jin , Rakowski Joseph , Kim Harold E. , Kim Hyeong‐Reh C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA concurrent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection potentiates the efficacy of ionizing radiation for treatment of head and neck cancer by promoting apoptosis. Studies in cell culture indicated an opposite effect for photodynamic therapy (PDT) when this leads to mitochondrial and ER photodamage. The explanation for this difference in PDT efficacy remains to be established. While apoptosis was impaired in HPV(‐) cells, such cells can be killed via photodamage directed at the ER: this leads to a nonapoptotic death pathway termed paraptosis. No differences in photosensitizer uptake or reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were observed in HPV(+) vs. HPV(‐) tumors. We now provide evidence that death pathways initiated by ER/mitochondrial photodamage leading to either paraptosis or apoptosis are impaired in an HPV(+) head and neck cell line. These results illustrate the complex determinants of PDT efficacy, a topic that has yet to be fully explored.
K–Ar geochronology of orogenic gold mineralization in the Vangtat gold belt, southeastern Laos: Effect of excess argon in hydrothermal quartz
Authors: Bounliyong Patthana , Itaya Tetsumaru , Arribas Antonio , Watanabe Yasushi , Wong Henry , Echigo Takuya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Thongkai‐Ok gold deposit is one of several actively mined deposits in a newly discovered orogenic gold belt in southeastern Laos. At a district scale, gold mineralization occurs within the Vangtat shear zone, one of the tectonic structures of the Poko suture zone that marks the collision between the Indochina Terrane and the Kontum Massif in southern Laos‐central Vietnam. High grade gold mineralization is associated with quartz–pyrite–white mica veins and silicified zones up to 10 m thick, hosted by strongly deformed and sheared pelitic schist. Lower‐grade gold mineralization occurs in a graphite–carbonate–quartz–sulfide hydrothermal alteration envelope that grades into sub‐economic/barren altered pelitic schist. The objective of this study is to establish the age of mineralization in the Vangtat orogenic gold belt by K–Ar dating of hydrothermal white mica in the gold‐bearing quartz‐sulfide veins in order to better understand its spatial and temporal relation to other gold deposits in Southeast Asia and to regional tectonic events. Three‐white mica bearing quartz–pyrite samples were collected from the open pit at Thongkai‐Ok. The dominant white mica phase in the samples is 2M1 muscovite and the K2O content measured by electron microprobe techniques in individual white mica crystals ranged between 8.61 and 9.79 wt%. Two of the three vein samples were separated by gravity settling into four size fractions, <2, 2–4, 4–10, and 10–40 μm, respectively. The results of potassium measurements by flame photometry in the K–Ar sample aliquots show a range in potassium content which reflects the amount of quartz present in each sample as an impurity. With one exception, a correlation was observed between potassium concentration in the samples, including the size fraction separates, and the calculated K–Ar age. The large range of calculated ages, from 348 to 206 Ma, is interpreted to reflect excess argon contained in fluid inclusions in the hydrothermal quartz present in the analyzed samples. We interpret the youngest age of the quartz‐free samples, 206 ± 4 Ma, as closest to the age of mineralization in the Vangtat gold belt. The age could be as young as ~170 Ma if the age versus potassium content relation is extrapolated to the average potassium content of white mica in the samples analyzed.
Between affordable welfare and affordable food: Internationalized food subsidy reforms in Egypt and Tunisia
Authors: Thyen Kressen , Karadag Roy 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe public subsidization of food is an important element of North African welfare states, guaranteeing access to affordable nutrition and maintaining food security even in times of economic downturns. Since the 1970s, universal food subsidy schemes have come under growing international pressure, and North African countries have selectively adopted policy recommendations and adjusted their subsidy schemes. Comparing the empirical cases of Egypt and Tunisia before and after the 2010/11 uprisings, we analyze the linkages between international organizations, national governments and local welfare demands and explain what kinds of reform alliances emerge between these actors. We find that until 2010, internationalized social policy reform was structured by governments' brokerage of international and domestic pressure and adaptation of reform aims. Since then, two modes have unfolded: in militarized Egypt, coercive closure secured an alliance and the respective subsidy reforms, whereas in Tunisia, polarization disconnected domestic and international policy goals.
Ultraconserved element phylogenomics and biogeography of the agriculturally important mason bee subgenus Osmia (Osmia)
Authors: Branstetter Michael G. , Müller Andreas , Griswold Terry L. , Orr Michael C. , Zhu Chao‐Dong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOne of the most important non‐Apis groups of bees for agriculture is the mason bee subgenus Osmia Panzer (Osmia), or Osmia s.s. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Out of the 29 known species, four have been developed as managed pollinators of orchards. In addition, the group is important as a source of non‐native pollinators, given that several species have been introduced into new areas. Osmia s.s. occurs naturally throughout the northern temperate zone with greatest species richness in Europe and Asia. Here, we integrate phylogenomic data from ultraconserved elements (UCEs), near complete taxon sampling, and a diversity of analytical approaches to infer the phylogeny, divergence times and biogeographic history of Osmia s.s. We also demonstrate how mitochondrial sequence data can be extracted from ultraconserved element data and combined with sequences from public repositories in order to test the phylogeny, examine species boundaries and identify specimen‐associated, non‐bee DNA. We resolve the phylogeny of Osmia s.s. and show strong support that Nearctic Osmia ribifloris is the sister group to the rest of the subgenus. Biogeographic analyses indicate that the group originated during the Late Miocene in the West Nearctic plus East Palearctic region following dispersal from the East Palearctic to the West Nearctic across the Bering land bridge prior to its closure 5.5–4.8 Ma. The mitochondrial DNA results reveal potential taxonomic synonymies involving Osmia yanbianensis and Osmia opima, and Osmia rufina, Osmia rufinoides and Osmia taurus.
The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) nucleic acids detected in the saliva and conjunctiva of some naturally infected dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia ‐2019
Authors: Hemida Maged Gomaa , Ali Ali Mohamed , Alnaeem Abdelmohsen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDromedary camels are playing essential roles in the evolution and transmission of MERS‐CoV. MERS‐CoV shedding in some dromedary camel secretions, particularly nasal swabs, were studied in more detail. However, the roles of viral shedding in saliva and ocular secretions are still required further detailed studies. We performed a longitudinal study on a farm of dromedary camel herd from 10th March until 7th April, 2019, in eastern Saudi Arabia. This is a closed management herd including a large number of colour‐based breed animals and include animals of both sexes. We collected saliva and ocular swabs from 18% of the target animal population. Detection of the MERS‐CoV‐RNAs in these samples was conducted by the real‐time PCR technique. We detected the viral RNAs in the saliva of and conjunctival swabs of some of the tested animals at 33%, 77% and 88% during the three‐time points, respectively. Moreover, we also detected the viral RNAs in the conjunctival swabs at 11%, 22% and 33% at similar time intervals. Our results are suggesting the possibility of MERS‐CoV shedding in the saliva and the ocular discharges of the infected dromedary camels. This explains, at least in part, the mechanism of transmission of MERS‐CoV from animals to humans. More studies are needed for a better understanding of the transmission of MERS‐CoV from animals to humans; thus, the risk of virus spread can be mitigated.
Numerical Characterization of the Performance Curve of a Regenerative Pump-as-Turbine
Authors: Cantini Giulio , Salvadori Simone 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Energy companies in the power generation field are continuously searching for green technologies to reduce pollutant emissions. In that context, small hydropower plants represent an attractive solution for distributed electricity generation. Reverse-running centrifugal pumps (also known as “pump-as-turbines,” PaT) are increasingly selected in that field. Amongst the existing type of pumps, drag-type regenerative pumps (RP) can perform similarly to radial centrifugal pumps in terms of head and efficiency for low specific speed values. For a fixed rotational speed, RPs with linear blades work as pumps or turbines only depending on the flow rate. Such peculiarity makes it particularly intriguing to evaluate RPs working characteristics in the turbine operating mode. In this paper, the performance of three regenerative pump-as-turbines (RPaT) is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The numerical approach is validated using experimental data for both an RP (in the pump working region) and a regenerative turbine (RT) (in the turbine working region). Finally, the numerical simulation of a small-scale RP allows for characterizing both the pump and the turbine regions. Results show that for an RPaT it is possible to find a “switch region” where the machine turns from behaving as a pump to behaving as a turbine, the losses not being overcome by the turbine power output. The analysis of the RPaT also shows the inversion of the flow pattern and the constant positioning of the pivot around which the flow creates the typical helical structure that characterizes RPs.
Caffeine Use or Napping to Enhance Repeated Sprint Performance After Partial Sleep Deprivation: Why Not Both?
Authors: Romdhani Mohamed , Souissi Nizar , Moussa-Chamari Imen , Chaabouni Yassine , Mahdouani Kacem , Sahnoun Zouheir , Driss Tarak , Chamari Karim , Hammouda Omar 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To compare the effect of a 20-minute nap opportunity (N20), a moderate dose of caffeine (CAF; 5 mg·kg−1), or a moderate dose of caffeine before N20 (CAF+N) as possible countermeasures to the decreased performance and the partial sleep deprivation–induced muscle damage. Methods: Nine male, highly trained judokas were randomly assigned to either baseline normal sleep night, placebo, N20, CAF, or CAF+N. Test sessions included the running-based anaerobic sprint test, from which the maximum (Pmax), mean (Pmean), and minimum (Pmin) powers were calculated. Biomarkers of muscle, hepatic, and cardiac damage and of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants were measured at rest and after the exercise. Results: N20 increased Pmax compared with placebo (P < .01, d = 0.75). CAF+N increased Pmax (P < .001, d = 1.5; d = 0.94), Pmin (P < .001, d = 2.79; d = 2.6), and Pmean (P < .001, d = 1.93; d = 1.79) compared with placebo and CAF, respectively. Postexercise creatine kinase increased whenever caffeine was added, that is, after CAF (P < .001, d = 1.19) and CAF+N (P < .001, d = 1.36). Postexercise uric acid increased whenever participants napped, that is, after N20 (P < .001, d = 2.19) and CAF+N (P < .001, d = 2.50) and decreased after CAF (P < .001, d = 2.96). Conclusion: Napping improved repeated-sprint performance and antioxidant defense after partial sleep deprivation. Contrarily, caffeine increased muscle damage without improving performance. For sleep-deprived athletes, caffeine before a short nap opportunity would be more beneficial for repeated sprint performance than each treatment alone.
Seismic crustal imaging using fin whale songs
Authors: Kuna Václav M. , Nábělek John L. 
Published: February 2021

Structure from a whale song
Probing the structure of the ocean crust requires a wave source. The most common source is an air gun, which is effective but potentially harmful for ocean life and not easy to use everywhere. Kuna and Nábělek found that fin whale songs can also be used as a seismic source for determining crustal structure. Fin whale vocalizations can be as loud as large ships and occur at frequencies useful for traveling through the ocean floor. These properties allow fin whale songs to be used for mapping out the density of ocean crust, a vital part of exploring the seafloor.

Science
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731
Association of first trimester prescription opioid use with congenital malformations in the offspring: population based cohort study
Authors: Bateman Brian T , Hernandez-Diaz Sonia , Straub Loreen , Zhu Yanmin , Gray Kathryn J , Desai Rishi J , Mogun Helen , Gautam Nileesa , Huybrechts Krista F 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the risk of first trimester exposure to prescription opioids for major congenital malformations, previously reported to be associated with such exposure.

Design
Population based cohort study.

Setting
Nationwide sample of publicly and commercially insured pregnant women linked to their liveborn infants, nested in the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX, 2000-14) and the MarketScan Research Database (MarketScan, 2003-15).

Participants
1 602 580 publicly insured (MAX) and 1 177 676 commercially insured (MarketScan) pregnant women with eligibility from at least three months before pregnancy to one month after delivery; infants with eligibility for at least three months after birth.

Interventions
Use of prescription opioids was ascertained by requiring two or more dispensations of any opioid during the first trimester.

Main outcomes measures
Major malformations overall, cardiac malformations overall, ventricular septal defect, secundum atrial septal defect/patent foramen ovale, neural tube defect, clubfoot, and oral cleft, defined based on validated algorithms. Propensity score stratification was used to adjust for potential confounders and/or proxies for confounders. Estimates from each database were combined using meta-analysis.

Results
70 447 (4.4%) of 1 602 580 publicly insured and 12 454 (1.1%) of 1 177 676 commercially insured pregnant women had two or more dispensations of an opioid during the first trimester. Absolute risk of malformations overall was 41.0 (95% confidence interval 39.5 to 42.5) per 1000 pregnancies exposed to opioids versus 32.0 (31.7 to 32.3) per 1000 unexposed pregnancies in the MAX cohort, and 42.6 (39.0 to 46.1) and 37.3 (37.0 to 37.7) per 1000, respectively, in the MarketScan cohort. Pooled unadjusted relative risk estimates were raised for all outcomes but shifted substantially toward the null after adjustment; for malformations overall (relative risk 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.10), cardiovascular malformations (1.09, 1.00 to 1.18), ventricular septal defect (1.07, 0.95 to 1.21), atrial septal defect/patent foramen ovale (1.04, 0.88 to 1.24), neural tube defect (0.82, 0.53 to 1.27), and clubfoot (1.06, 0.88 to 1.28). The relative risk for oral clefts remained raised after adjustment (1.21, 0.98 to 1.50), with a higher risk of cleft palate (1.62, 1.23 to 2.14).

Conclusions
Prescription opioids used in early pregnancy are not associated with a substantial increase in risk for most of the malformation types considered, although a small increase in the risk of oral clefts associated with their use is possible.
Protocol for a randomised clinical trial of multimodal postconcussion symptom treatment and recovery: the Concussion Essentials study
Authors: Anderson Vicki , Rausa Vanessa C , Anderson Nicholas , Parkin Georgia , Clarke Cathriona , Davies Katie , McKinlay Audrey , Crichton Ali , Davis Gavin A , Dalziel Kim , Dunne Kevin , Barnett Peter , Hearps Stephen JC , Takagi Michael , Babl Franz E 
Published: February 2021

IntroductionWhile most children recover from a concussion shortly after injury, approximately 30% experience persistent postconcussive symptoms (pPCS) beyond 1-month postinjury. Existing research into the treatment of pPCS have evaluated unimodal approaches, despite evidence suggesting that pPCS likely represent an interaction across various symptom clusters. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal, symptom-tailored intervention to accelerate symptom recovery and increase the proportion of children with resolved symptoms at 3 months postconcussion.Methods and analysisIn this open-label, assessor-blinded, randomised clinical trial, children with concussion aged 8–18 years will be recruited from The Royal Children’s Hospital (The RCH) emergency department, or referred by a clinician, within 17 days of initial injury. Based on parent ratings of their child’s PCS at ~10 days postinjury, symptomatic children (≥2 symptoms at least 1-point above those endorsed preinjury) will undergo a baseline assessment at 3 weeks postinjury and randomised into either Concussion Essentials (CE, n=108), a multimodal, interdisciplinary delivered, symptom-tailored treatment involving physiotherapy, psychology and education, or usual care (UC, n=108) study arms. CE participants will receive 1 hour of intervention each week, for up to 8 weeks or until pPCS resolve. A postprogramme assessment will be conducted at 3 months postinjury for all participants. Effectiveness of the CE intervention will be determined by the proportion of participants for whom pPCS have resolved at the postprogramme assessment (primary outcome) relative to the UC group. Secondary outcome analyses will examine whether children receiving CE are more likely to demonstrate resolution of pPCS, earlier return to normal activity, higher quality of life and a lower rate of utilisation of health services, compared with the UC group.Ethics and disseminationEthics were approved by The RCH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC: 37100). Parent, and for mature minors, participant consent, will be obtained prior to commencement of the trial. Study results will be disseminated at international conferences and international peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberACTRN12617000418370; pre-results.
What drives general practitioners in the UK to improve the quality of care? A systematic literature review
Authors: Ahmed Kanwal , Hashim Salma , Khankhara Mariyam , Said Ilhan , Shandakumar Amrita Tara , Zaman Sadia , Veiga Andre 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundIn the UK, the National Health Service has various incentivisation schemes in place to improve the provision of high-quality care. The Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) and other Pay for Performance (P4P) schemes are incentive frameworks that focus on meeting predetermined clinical outcomes. However, the ability of these schemes to meet their aims is debated.Objectives(1) To explore current incentive schemes available in general practice in the UK, their impact and effectiveness in improving quality of care and (2) To identify other types of incentives discussed in the literature.MethodsThis systematic literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Six databases were searched: Cochrane, PubMed, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Evidence, Health Management Information Consortium, Embase and Health Management. Articles were screened according to the selection criteria, evaluated against critical appraisal checklists and categorised into themes.Results35 articles were included from an initial search result of 22087. Articles were categorised into the following three overarching themes: financial incentives, non-financial incentives and competition.DiscussionThe majority of the literature focused on QOF. Its positive effects included reduced mortality rates, better data recording and improved sociodemographic inequalities. However, limitations involved decreased quality of care in non-incentivised activities, poor patient experiences due to tick-box exercises and increased pressure to meet non-specific targets. Findings surrounding competition were mixed, with limited evidence found on the use of non-financial incentives in primary care.ConclusionCurrent research looks extensively into financial incentives, however, we propose more research into the effects of intrinsic motivation alongside existing P4P schemes to enhance motivation and improve quality of care.
Validation of a new method for saliva cortisol testing to assess stress in first responders
Authors: Smeets Math MJ , Vandenbossche Piet , Duijst Wilma LJM , Mook Walther NKA van , Leers Mathie P.G. 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundAcute or chronic stress can lead to physical and mental disorders. Measuring cortisol can objectify the degree of stress. Cortisol is traditionally measured in serum, but recently the relevant fraction of free cortisol can be reliably measured in saliva, using the very sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The use of saliva is non-invasive and allows easy serial testing around stressful events. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether serial saliva cortisol determinations using the LC-MS/MS method can be used to assess the stress response that first responders may experience during moments of acute professional deployment in their daily work.MethodsHealthy first responders (police officers, firefighters, rapid response team, ambulance personnel, first aid and emergency medical personnel) were recruited to participate in a Euregional high-reliability simulation training (‘Be Aware’-scenario training, 19 April 2018). At three time points, simultaneous venous blood samples and saliva samples were obtained. These time points were 1 hour before, immediately after and 10 hours after the simulation training. The correlation between changes in saliva cortisol measured by LC-MS/MS and serum cortisol at all three time points was determined. Results were compared with spectators not directly participating in the simulation.Results70 subjects participated in the simulation. There was a strong correlation between the changes in saliva and blood cortisol at the three time points. A significant increase in blood and saliva cortisol was shown 1 hour after the experienced stress moments. The levels had almost completely returned to baseline in all healthy volunteers 10 hours later. Cortisol in spectators was unaffected.ConclusionSerial saliva cortisol measurements using LC-MS/MS is a reliable and fast non-invasive functional stress assay, which can be easily collected in daily practice and used for investigation and monitoring of stress response in front line responders.