bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The physiological reaction of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus, Cricetidae) to chemical signals of perspective mating partners before and during courtship
Authors: Kondratyuk E. Yu , Zadubrovskiy P. A. , Zadubrovskaya I. V. , Sakharov A. V. 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
In this investigation we assessed the physiological reaction of hamsters in response to chemical signals from potential sexual partners, and also after a private meeting with them, which allowed us to ascertain the type of mating system for this species. The reception of olfactory signals led to an increase in peroxidase activity in the blood for both sexes, indicative of activity of a non-specific line of immune defense in recipients. The increase in blood cortisol level in response to the chemical signals of a partner was only observed in females. Males spent more time near samples of estrous females, with elevated levels of cortisol in the urine. In olfactory tests, an hour after grouping all the individuals in pairs there was a significant increase in blood peroxidase activity, which indicates the reaction of a non-specific link in the immune system of partners. This increase was greater in the pairs with a mutual preference. Females from these pairs demonstrated a substantial decrease in stress hormone levels in the plasma after an hour of mating in comparison to females prior to mating, and in non-preferred coupling.
Echolocation click parameters and biosonar behaviour of the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima)
Authors: Malinka Chloe E. , Tønnesen Pernille , Dunn Charlotte A. , Claridge Diane E. , Gridley Tess , Elwen Simon H. , Teglberg Madsen Peter 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTDwarf sperm whales (Kogia sima) are small toothed whales that produce narrow-band high-frequency (NBHF) echolocation clicks. Such NBHF clicks, subject to high levels of acoustic absorption, are usually produced by small, shallow-diving odontocetes, such as porpoises, in keeping with their short-range echolocation and fast click rates. Here, we sought to address the problem of how the little-studied and deep-diving Kogia can hunt with NBHF clicks in the deep sea. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that Kogia produce NBHF clicks with longer inter-click intervals (ICIs), higher directionality and higher source levels (SLs) compared with other NBHF species. We did this by deploying an autonomous deep-water vertical hydrophone array in the Bahamas, where no other NBHF species are present, and by taking opportunistic recordings of a close-range Kogia sima in a South African harbour. Parameters from on-axis clicks (n=46) in the deep revealed very narrow-band clicks (root mean squared bandwidth, BWRMS, of 3±1 kHz), with SLs of up to 197 dB re. 1 µPa peak-to-peak (μPapp) at 1 m, and a half-power beamwidth of 8.8 deg. Their ICIs (mode of 245 ms) were much longer than those of porpoises (&lt;100 ms), suggesting an inspection range that is longer than detection ranges of single prey, perhaps to facilitate auditory streaming of a complex echo scene. On-axis clicks in the shallow harbour (n=870) had ICIs and SLs in keeping with source parameters of other NBHF cetaceans. Thus, in the deep, dwarf sperm whales use a directional, but short-range echolocation system with moderate SLs, suggesting a reliable mesopelagic prey habitat.
Prolonged Time from Diagnosis to Breast-Conserving Surgery is Associated with Upstaging in Hormone Receptor-Positive Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Hills Natalie , Leslie Macall , Davis Rachel , Crowell Marielle , Kameyama Hiroyasu , Rui Hallgeir , Chervoneva Inna , Dooley William , Tanaka Takemi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Time to surgery (TTS) has been suggested to have an association with mortality in early-stage breast cancer.

Objective
This study aims to determine the association between TTS and preoperative disease progression in tumor size or nodal status among women diagnosed with clinical T1N0M0 ductal breast cancer.

Methods
Women diagnosed with clinical T1N0M0 ductal breast cancer who had breast-conserving surgery as their first definitive treatment between 2010 and 2016 (n = 90,405) were analyzed using the National Cancer Database. Separate multivariable logistic regression models for hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HR-negative patients, adjusted for clinical and demographic variables, were used to assess the relationship between TTS and upstaging of tumor size (T-upstaging) or nodal status (N-upstaging).

Results
T-upstaging occurred in 6.76% of HR-positive patients and 11.00% of HR-negative patients, while N-upstaging occurred in 12.69% and 10.75% of HR-positive and HR-negative patients, respectively. Among HR-positive patients, odds of T-upstaging were higher for 61–90 days TTS (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.34) and ≥91 days TTS (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.17–1.84) compared with ≤30 days TTS, and odds of N- upstaging were higher for ≥91 days TTS (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13–1.62). No association between TTS and either T- or N-upstaging was found among HR-negative patients. Other clinical and demographic variables, including grade, tumor location, and race/ethnicity, were associated with both T- and N-upstaging.

Conclusion
TTS ≥61 and ≥91 days was a significant predictor of T- and N-upstaging, respectively, in HR-positive patients; however, TTS was not associated with upstaging in HR-negative breast cancer. Delays in surgery may contribute to measurable disease progression in T1N0M0 ductal breast cancer.
Machine Learning Used to Create a Multidimensional Calibration Space for Sensing and Biosensing Data
Authors: Neto Mário Popolin , Soares Andrey Coatrini , Oliveira Osvaldo N , Paulovich Fernando V 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Calibration curves are essential constructs in analytical chemistry to determine parameters of sensing performance. In the classification of sensing data of complex samples without a clear dependence on a given analyte, however, establishing a calibration curve is not possible. In this paper we introduce the concept of a multidimensional calibration space, which could serve as reference to classify any unknown sample as in determining an analyte concentration from a calibration curve. This calibration space is defined from a set of rules generated using a machine learning method based on trees applied to the dataset. The number of attributes employed in the rules defines the dimension of the calibration space and is established to warrant full coverage of the dataset. We demonstrate the calibration space concept with impedance spectroscopy data from sensors, biosensors and an e-tongue, but the concept can be extended to any type of sensing data and classification task. Using the calibration space should allow for the correct classification of unknown samples, provided that the data used to generate rules via machine learning can cover the whole range of sensing measurements. Furthermore, an inspection in the rules can assist in the design of sensing systems for optimized performance.
Cu–Pd–B Alloy Nanoparticles Synthesized by External Boron Doping Method
Authors: Kobayashi Keigo , Kusada Kohei , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Yamamoto Tomokazu , Toriyama Takaaki , Matsumura Syo , Kitagawa Hiroshi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
We present a new synthetic approach for Cu–Pd–B nanoscale alloys. Crystalline face-centered cubic Cu–Pd–B alloy nanoparticles were successfully obtained via an amorphous structure phase caused by external heavy B doping. Elemental mapping with simultaneous energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and energy loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope revealed a solid-solution structure composed of the three elements.
Diversity of Eusocial Bees in Natural and Anthropized Areas of a Tropical Dry Forest in the Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Authors: Gonçalves Priscila Santos , Araújo Walter Santos de 
Published: March 2021

In the present study we inventoried the diversity of eusocial bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in preserved and anthropized areas of a tropical dry forest in the Parque da Sapucaia (Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil). We tested the hypothesis that the diversity of bee species would: 1) be greater in the preserved areas, 2) respond positively to the structure of the vegetation and 3) decrease during the dry season. We sampled eusocial bee species in 18 plots of 10 x 10 m distributed throughout the park, being nine plots in anthropized areas and nine plots in areas with preserved vegetation. In total we recorded 382 individuals and eight species of eusocial bees. The most abundant species was Oxytrigona tataira (Smith) (N = 233) and the most common species was Trigona spinipes (Fabricius) recorded in 72.2% of the plots. As expected, we found that eusocial bee diversity (Shannon diversity) was higher in preserved plots than in anthropized plots. Tree species richness positively affected bee species richness and abundance, while tree abundance positively influenced the bee abundance and tree height positively affected the bee Shannon diversity, corroborating our expectations. On the other hand, we detected no differences in the diversity of eusocial bees between dry and rainy seasons. Our findings suggest that both natural (vegetation structure) and anthropogenic (habitat modification) factors are important predictors of the diversity of eusocial bee species in tropical dry forests.
Soliton mode-locked fiber laser for distance measurements
Authors: Terra Osama , Hussein Haitham M. , Kotb Hussein 
Published: March 2021

Absolute distance measurement is crucial for many applications including metrology, large-scale manufacturing, range finding, and surveying. In this paper, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, technique is introduced for precise distance measurement by including the distance under measurement in a soliton mode-locked fiber ring laser (SMFRL). Consequently, the measured distance can be calculated from the change in the repetition rate of the emitted pulses due to the laser cavity length change. The SMFRL technique is implemented here to measure distances up to 57.4 m with precision of less than 9 µm. Therefore, we believe that the SMRFL technique provides a relatively simple and precise technique to measure relatively long distances.
Multi-criteria decision analysis approach for strategy scale-up with application to Chagas disease management in Bolivia
Authors: Pinazo Maria-Jesus , Cidoncha Ainize , Gopal Gurram , Moriana Silvia , Saravia Ruth , Torrico Faustino , Gascon Joaquim 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveDesign and build a strategy construction and evaluation software system to help stakeholders to develop viable strategies to expand (and adapt) the Chagas Platform healthcare model through the primary healthcare system in Bolivia.MethodsThe software was built based on a ranking of medical Interventions and Actions (needed to support Interventions’ implementation) needed for comprehensive management of Chagas Disease in Bolivia. The ranking was performed using a Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology adapted to the WHO’s building blocks framework. Data regarding the criteria and the rankings was obtained through surveys and interviews with health care professionals working on Chagas disease. The Analytical Hierarchy Process was used to construct the decision criteria weights. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to identify the Interventions that lay on the efficiency frontier of outcomes and the complexity of associated Actions. These techniques were combined with integer programing tools using the open-source software R to build a decision-making tool to assess the outcomes and complexity of any combination of Interventions and Actions. This model and tool were applied to data concerning the care of Chagas disease in Bolivia collected through surveys of experts. The tool works by loading the data from each specific context.ResultsThe initial set of Interventions and Actions recommended after analysis of the survey data was further refined through face-to-face interviews with field experts in Bolivia, resulting in a strategy of 18 Interventions and 15 Actions. Within the WHO model the Leadership and Governance building block came up as the one needing more support with Actions such as the inclusion of Chagas into Annual Municipal Operational Plans by appointing local and provincial coordinators.ConclusionThis project established the suitability of the model for constructing healthcare strategies. The model could be developed further resulting in a decision-making tool for program managers in a wide range of healthcare related issues, including neglected and/ or prevalent diseases. The tool has the potential to be used at different stages of decision making by diverse stakeholders in order to coordinate activities needed to address a health problem.
Low-dose urokinase thrombolytic therapy for patients with acute intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Weng Cuilian , Wang Xincai , Huang Long , Lin Xingsheng , Liu Qinghua 
Published: March 2021

Introduction
Patients at intermediate-high risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (PE) are very likely to experience adverse outcomes, such as cardiovascular instability and death. The role of thrombolytic therapy in intermediate-high-risk PE remains controversial.

Objectives
This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of low-dose urokinase (UK) thrombolytic therapy for intermediate-high-risk PE.

Patients and methods
This retrospective study included 81 consecutive patients with intermediate-high-risk PE from two centers. Patients received low-dose UK or low-molecular-weight heparin (anticoagulant therapy group). The efficacy outcomes were mortality, computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)-confirmed absorption, and dyspnea. Safety was assessed as the incidence of bleedings.

Results
The in-hospital mortality, 9-month mortality, and long-term mortality at the last follow-up were comparable for the low-dose UK group and the anticoagulant therapy group (6.45% vs. 0%, p = 0.144, 9.68% vs. 8.16%, p = 0.815, and 12.90% vs. 12.24%, p = 0.931, respectively). CTPA-confirmed absorption at one month after admission was higher in the low-dose UK group than in the anticoagulant therapy group (p = 0.016). The incidences of short-term dyspnea at discharge and long-term dyspnea at the last follow-up were lower in the low-dose UK group than in the anticoagulant therapy group (27.59% vs. 52%, p = 0.035, 33.33% vs. 58.14%, p = 0.043, respectively). No major bleeding occurred. The incidence of minor bleeding was not significantly different between the two groups (3.23% vs. 6%, p = 0.974).

Conclusion
In intermediate-high-risk PE, a low-dose UK might increase CTPA-confirmed absorption and improve short-term and long-term dyspnea without affecting mortality or increasing the bleeding risk.
Does family planning counseling reduce unmet need for modern contraception among postpartum women: Evidence from a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in Nepal
Authors: Puri Mahesh Chandra , Huber-Krum Sarah , Canning David , Guo Muqi , Shah Iqbal H. 
Published: March 2021

Background
Postpartum women have high rates of unmet need for modern contraception in the two years following birth in Nepal. We assessed whether providing contraceptive counseling during pregnancy and/or prior to discharge from the hospital for birth or after discharge from the hospital for birth was associated with reduced postpartum unmet need in Nepal.

Methods
We used data from a larger a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial, including contraceptive counselling in six tertiary hospitals. Group 1 hospitals (three hospitals) initiated the intervention after three months of baseline data collection, while Group 2 hospitals (three hospitals) initiated the same intervention after nine months. We have enrolled 21,280 women in the baseline interviews and conducted two follow-up interviews with them, one and two years after they had delivered in one of our study hospitals. We estimated the effect of counseling and its timing (pre-discharge, post- discharge, both, or neither) on unmet need for modern contraception in the postpartum period, using random-effects logistic regressions.

Results
Unmet need for modern contraception was high (54% at one year and 50% at two years). Women counseled in either the pre-discharge period (Odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI: 0·80, 0·93) or in the post-discharge period (OR 0·86; 95% CI: 0·79, 0·93) were less likely to have an unmet need in the postpartum period compared to women with no counseling. However, women who received counseling in both the pre- and post-discharge period were 27% less likely than women who had not received counseling to have unmet need (OR 0.73; 95% CI: 0·67, 0·80).

Conclusions
Counseling women either before or after discharge reduces unmet need for postpartum contraception but counseling in both periods is most effective.
Racial Disparities in Adherence to Quality Indicators in Barrett's Esophagus: An Analysis Using the GIQuIC National Benchmarking Registry
Authors: Jones Blake , Williams J. Lucas , Komanduri Srinadh , Muthusamy V. Raman , Shaheen Nicholas J. , Wani Sachin 
Published: March 2021

INTRODUCTION:
Racial disparities in outcomes in esophageal adenocarcinoma are well established. Using a nationwide registry, we aimed to compare clinical and endoscopic characteristics of blacks and whites with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and adherence to defined quality indicators.

METHODS:
We analyzed data from the Gastrointestinal Quality Improvement Consortium Registry between January 2012 and December 2019. Patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with an indication of BE screening or surveillance, or an endoscopic finding of BE, were included. Adherence to recommended endoscopic surveillance intervals of 3–5 years for nondysplastic BE and adherence to Seattle biopsy protocol were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to assess variables associated with adherence.

RESULTS:
A total of 100,848 esophagogastroduodenoscopies in 84,789 patients met inclusion criteria (blacks—3,957 and whites—96,891). Blacks were less likely to have histologically confirmed BE (34.3% vs 51.7%, P < 0.01), had shorter BE lengths (1.61 vs 2.35 cm, P < 0.01), and were less likely to have any dysplasia (4.3% vs 7.1%, P < 0.01). Although whites were predominantly male (62.2%), about half of blacks with BE were female (53.0%). Blacks with nondysplastic BE were less likely to be recommended appropriate surveillance intervals (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.68–0.89). Adherence rates to the Seattle protocol were modestly higher among blacks overall (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.20), although significantly lower among blacks with BE segments >6 cm.

DISCUSSION:
The use of sex as a risk factor for BE screening may be inappropriate among blacks. Fewer blacks were recommended appropriate surveillance intervals, and blacks with longer segment BE were less likely to undergo Seattle biopsy protocol.
A PRODUÇÃO DO OURO EM PARACATU / MG – BRASIL: RISCOS PARA A SAÚDE E BEM ESTAR DA POPULAÇÃO
Authors: Astolphi Joana D'Arc Vieira Couto , Da Silva Vicente de Paulo , Soriano Érico 
Published: March 2021

Paracatu é uma cidade histórica brasileira do Ciclo da Mineração no país, localizada no noroeste do estado de Minas Gerais. Atualmente é conhecida devido a sua grande produção de ouro, através da exploração da maior mina a céu aberto do mundo, operada pela empresa Kinross Brasil Mineração. Esta grandiosidade também se observa nos impactos socioambientais negativos gerados pela atividade produtiva. Buscou-se identificar a relação entre os impactos socioambientais produzidos pela mineração industrial, com os problemas de saúde e de bem-estar identificados na população. Desta forma, analisou-se o processo de adoecimento dos moradores, a partir da base de dados SIH/SUS do DATASUS, assim como a literatura e documentos acerca dos riscos da produção minerária sobre a saúde e o bem-estar dos moradores e a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas com moradores que residem em bairros contíguos à área de lavra da mineradora. Foi possível constatar que as condições de saúde e o processo de adoecimento de parte da população podem revelar uma possível relação com as práticas da mineração.
Effect of Organic Waste Addition into Animal Manure on Biogas Production Using Anaerobic Digestion Method
Authors: Arifan Fahmi , Abdullah Abdullah , Sumardiono Siswo 
Published: March 2021

One biomass form with a high potential to replace fossil fuels is biogas. Biogas yield production depends on the raw material or substrate used. This research was aimed to investigate a biogas production technique using an anaerobic digestion process based on a substrate mixture of a starter, cow dung, chicken manure, tofu liquid waste, and cabbage waste. The anaerobic digestion is a promised process to reduce waste while it is also producing renewable energy. Moreover, the process can digest high nutrients in the waste. The anaerobic digestion results showed that the combination producing the highest biogas amount was 200 mg starter mixed with a ratio of 70% cow dung, 15% chicken manure, and 15% tofu liquid waste. The larger the amount of cabbage waste, the lower the biogas production. The quadratic regression analysis was obtained for the variable with the highest yield and the estimated kinetic parameters based on the Gompertz equations revealed that the value of P∞ = 2,795.142 mL/gr.Ts, Rm = 113, 983.777 mL/gr.Ts, and t = 10.2 days. The results also concluded that the use of tofu liquid waste produced more biogas than cabbage waste. This study also successfully showed significant development in terms of the amount of biogas produced by adding organic waste to animal manure as the substrate used.
Design of multi-loop control systems for distillation columns: review of past and recent mathematical tools
Authors: Kim Changsoo , Shah Manas , Sahlodin Ali M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDesign of a control structure in distillation columns involves selecting proper sets of manipulated and controlled variables (often including tray temperatures for inferential control of product compositions) and one-to-one pairing between the two sets. In this paper, various mathematical tools for achieving this goal are reviewed. First, traditional methods such as Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Relative Gain Array (RGA) that build upon a simplified steady-state or dynamic model of the column are explored. The role of optimization in systematizing the control design procedures is also investigated. Then, more recent inferential control techniques that rely on statistical methods such as Principal Component Regression (PCR), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and other machine learning techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMR) are discussed extensively. The discussions include newer distillation technologies with complex configurations such as dividing-wall columns. Finally, the use of process simulators in aiding the control structure design of distillation columns is surveyed.