bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving nitrogen use efficiency using precision nitrogen management in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Varinderpal-Singh  , Kunal  , Gosal S. K. , Choudhary Rita , Singh Reena , Adholeya Alok 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground: Excessive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer in cereal crops not only decreases the N use efficiency but also accelerates greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.Aim: To improve N use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using precision N management and coating seeds with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).Methods: Field experiment laid out in split‐plot design was conducted to study the role of AMF consortia (four species) seed coating and different precision N management strategies in rationalizing fertilizer N use.Results: The AMF seed coating improved mycorrhization but did not improve N assimilation, grain yield, root weight, N uptake, chlorophyll value, normalized difference vegetative index, and physiological efficiency (PEN) of applied N fertilizer. The benefits of AMF seed coating in improving N assimilation were not visible even in no‐N treatment. Precision N management using leaf color chart (LCC), chlorophyll meter (SPAD), and GreenSeeker optical sensor (GS) sustained wheat grain yield equivalent to the soil‐test based N fertilizer recommendation with the average savings of 20% N fertilizer. Precision N management strategies improved mean recovery efficiency (REN) and partial factor productivity (PFPN) of applied N fertilizer, respectively by 26.0% and 26.4% over the soil‐test based N management. Spectral properties measured with LCC, SPAD and GS showed good correlation (R2 > 0.71) with grain yield, depicting great potential of optical sensing tools in predicting grain yield and inferring need‐based fertilizer N topdressings decisions in wheat.Conclusions: Precision N management provides a potential solution to improve N nutrition in wheat while reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) and total GHG emissions by 23.2 and 23.6%, respectively, in comparison to soil‐test based N application.
Optical spectroscopy methods combined with multivariate statistical analysis for the classification of Cretan thyme, multi‐floral and honeydew honey
Authors: Orfanakis Emmanouil , Markoulidakis Michail , Philippidis Aggelos , Zoumi Aikaterini , Velegrakis Michalis 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe botanical origin of honey attracts both commercial and research interest. Consumers’ preferences and medicinal uses of particular honey types drive the demand for the determination of their authenticity with regard to their botanical origin. This study presents the discrimination of thyme, multi‐floral. and honeydew honeys by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis. UV absorption spectroscopy was applied without any dilution of the sample using a custom‐made cuvette. FTIR and UV absorption spectroscopic data were processed by means of the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis.RESULTSThe optimal classification of floral and honeydew honeys was accomplished with UV spectroscopy with a successful estimation of 92.65% for floral honey and 91.30% for honeydew honey. The discrimination of thyme versus the multi‐floral honey was best achieved with FTIR, with a correct classification of 95.56% and 100% for multi‐floral and thyme honey respectively. Furthermore, our findings revealed the region of 2400–4000 cm−1 of the FTIR spectra as the most significant for this discrimination.CONCLUSIONThis work demonstrates that optical spectroscopic techniques in combination with multivariate statistical analysis can be a rapid, low‐cost, easy‐to‐use approach for the determination of the botanical origin of honey without sample pretreatment. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of microsatellite status on negative lymph node count and prognostic relevance after curative gastrectomy
Authors: Cai Zhenghao , Ma Junjun , Li Shuchun , Fingerhut Abe , Sun Jing , Zang Lu , Yan Chao , Liu Wentao , Zhu Zhenggang , Zheng Minhua 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe impact of microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) phenotype on lymph node yield after lymphadenectomy has never been discussed in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we aimed to assess the association of microsatellite status with negative lymph node count (NLNC) as well as its prognostic value.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 1491 GC patients and divided them into two groups: MSI‐HGC (n = 141 [9.5%]) and microsatellite stability (MSSGC) (n = 1350 [90.5%]). The NLNC and survival data were compared between the two groups. The log odds of positive lymph nodes (LNs) to negative LNs and the target lymph node examined threshold (TLNT) were calculated in both groups.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found in median NLNC (26 vs. 23, p < .001) between MSI‐HGC and MSSGC patients. MSI status was an independent factor for NLNC (p < .001). NLNC showed positive prognostic value for cases with metastatic lymph node (LN+) in both MSI‐HGC and MSSGC groups. The TLNT(90%) for MSI‐HGC and MSSGC were 33 and 26, respectively.ConclusionsMSI‐HGC was associated with higher NLNC in GC patients and this was independent of the presence of LN+. However, more LNs are needed during pathological examination to capture LN+ cases in MSI‐HGC.
High versus low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery during laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: A prospective study of surgical and oncological outcomes
Authors: Feng Wenqing , Zong Yaping , Zhao Jingkun , Li Wenchang , Miao Yiming , Xu Zifeng , Xu Zhuoqing , Sun Jing , Zheng Minhua , Lu Aiguo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThere is controversy regarding whether the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) should be ligated at its origin from the aorta (high ligation, HL) or below the branch of the left colic artery (low ligation, LL) during surgery for rectal cancer.MethodsThis prospective study randomized 95 patients with histologically proven rectal cancer (clinical stages I–III based on the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer guidelines) to undergo HL (n = 47) or LL with lymph node dissection at the root of the IMA (n = 48).ResultsOnly two intraoperative adverse events were observed (two HL patients experienced anastomotic ischemia and underwent extended bowel excision and splenic flexure mobilization). The LL group had a significantly shorter time to first flatus (p < .0001). No significant differences were observed in operative time (p = .14), intraoperative blood loss (p = .21), distance from the upper margin (p = .77), distance from the lower margin (p = .35), harvested lymph nodes (p = .33), or anastomotic leakage (p = .44), 2‐year overall survival (p = .97), or 2‐year disease‐free survival (p = .42).ConclusionDuring laparoscopic low anterior resection, a combination of LL at the IMA and vascular root lymph node dissection may help protect the blood supply of the anastomosis, reduce postoperative complications, and enhance recovery, without compromising radical excision.
Short‐term outcomes of pure transvaginal laparoscopic right colectomy: A novel surgery approach based on an Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long‐term framework stage IIa study
Authors: Xiao Yi , Lin Chen , Lu Jun‐yang , Xu Lai , Hou Wen‐yun , Sun Rui , Chang Guo‐jing , Zhang Jun‐ji 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe application of pure natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) to intra‐abdominal visceral resections remains limited due to the complexity of the dissection. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic right colectomy using a purely transvaginal approach.MethodsThe data of 12 continuous patients with colon neoplasia who underwent transvaginal right colectomy from November 2018 to July 2020 were prospectively collected, and their perioperative events were recorded.ResultsThe patients' median age was 70.4 years. Four were diagnosed with colon adenoma and eight with adenocarcinoma. The median operative time was 185 min, with a median blood loss of 25 ml. The median time to gas passing was 32.5 h after surgery. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. One operation was converted to hybrid NOTES due to difficulty with the anastomosis, and one was converted to laparoscopic surgery because of vascular injury. Three cases were grades I, II, and III according to the Clavien‐Dindo classification.ConclusionPure NOTES right colectomy using the transvaginal approach is feasible and safe with good short‐term outcomes. We recommend this novel technique for highly‐selected patients with no more than a D2 dissection performed by experienced colorectal surgeons.
Featuring ultimate sensitivity of high‐resolution LC‐MS analysis of phenolics in rat plasma
Authors: Vlčková Hana Kočová , Catapano Maria Carmen , Mitašík Lucia , Kotland Ondřej , Nejmanová Iveta , Pourová Jana , Mladěnka Přemysl , Nováková Lucie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSensitive analysis of very low‐molecular weight metabolites using liquid chromatography with quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry is challenging due to the high losses of ions in a time‐of‐flight analyzer. Improvement in sensitivity for these analytes via the optimization of advanced parameters, including quadrupole profile, ion guide parameters, and duty cycle, has been achieved. The optimization of the method was carried out using a large spectrum of structurally different compounds including (iso)flavonoids and their known metabolites. These compounds can be categorized into two major groups, that is, compounds with (iso)flavonoid core and low‐molecular weight phenolics. The optimization of the duty cycle enabled up to a 15‐fold increase in analyte responses while the contribution of tuning ion optics and quadrupole profile was negligible. The limits of quantifications of our new method were assessed using both standard solutions and rat plasma. They were decreased at least 10 times for several low‐molecular weight phenolics enabling measurement of their concentrations in a range of 1‐50 ng/mL in rat plasma after protein precipitation. Concurrently, the limits of quantifications for compounds with (iso)flavonoid core did not increase distinctly allowing their detection in a range of 0.5‐10 ng/mL. The new method was used for the targeting of phenolics in biological samples from pharmacokinetics experiments.
Fear of the academic fake? Journal editorials and the amplification of the 'predatory publishing' discourse
Authors: Inouye Kelsey , Mills David 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis analysis of 229 editorials and opinion pieces published in science and medical journals explores the affective discourses used to characterise so‐called predatory publishing. Most (84%, n = 193) deploy one or more of three related categories of metaphorical and figurative language (fear, fakery and exploitation) to strengthen their rhetorical case. This paper examines the deployment, co‐occurrence and amplification of this language across the science publishing system, focusing particularly on the role of major science journals in adopting and normalising this emotive discourse. The analysis shows how few editorials offer alternative perspectives on these developments (n = 9), and their relative invisibility in scholarly debates.
Low‐Dose Coconut Oil Supplementation Induces Hypothalamic Inflammation, Behavioral Dysfunction, and Metabolic Damage in Healthy Mice
Authors: Veras Alana Carolina Costa , Santos Tamires dos , Martins Isis de Cássia Alves , de Souza Camilla Mendes , Amaral Camila Libardi , Franco Beatriz da Silva , Holanda Alessandro Spencer de Souza , Esteves Andrea Maculano , Milanski Marciane , Torsoni Adriana Souza , Ignacio‐Souza Leticia Martins , Torsoni Marcio Alberto 
Published: March 2021

ScopeCoconut oil (CO) diets remain controversial due to the possible association with metabolic disorder and obesity. This study investigates the metabolic effects of a low amount of CO supplementation.Methods and ResultsSwiss male mice are assigned to be supplemented orally during 8 weeks with 300 µL of water for the control group (CV), 100 or 300 µL of CO (CO100 and CO300) and 100 or 300 µL of soybean oil (SO; SO100 and SO300). CO led to anxious behavior, increase in body weight gain, and adiposity. In the hypothalamus, CO and SO increase cytokines expression and pJNK, pNFKB, and TLR4 levels. Nevertheless, the adipose tissue presented increases macrophage infiltration, TNF‐α and IL‐6 after CO and SO consumption. IL‐1B and CCL2 expression, pJNK and pNFKB levels increase only in CO300. In the hepatic tissue, CO increases TNF‐α and chemokines expression. Neuronal cell line (mHypoA‐2/29) exposed to serum from CO and SO mice shows increased NFKB migration to the nucleus, TNF‐α, and NFKBia expression, but are prevented by inhibitor of TLR4 (TAK‐242).ConclusionsThese results show that a low‐dose CO changes the behavioral pattern, induces inflammatory pathway activation, TLR4 expression in healthy mice, and stimulates the pro‐inflammatory response through a TLR4‐mediated mechanism.
Adaptive CaRdiac cOne BEAm computed Tomography (ACROBEAT): Developing the next generation of cardiac cone beam CT imaging
Authors: Reynolds Tess , Dillon Owen , Prinable Joseph , Whelan Brendan , Keall Paul J. , O’Brien Ricky T. 
Published: March 2021

PurposeAn important factor when considering the use of interventional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging during cardiac procedures is the trade‐off between imaging dose and image quality. Accordingly, Adaptive CaRdiac cOne BEAm computed Tomography (ACROBEAT) presents an alternative acquisition method, adapting the gantry velocity and projection rate of CBCT imaging systems in accordance with a patient’s electrocardiogram (ECG) signal in real‐time. The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate that ACROBEAT acquisitions deliver improved image quality compared to conventional cardiac CBCT imaging protocols with fewer projections acquired.MethodsThe Siemens ARTIS pheno (Siemens Healthcare, GmbH, Germany), a robotic CBCT C‐arm system, was used to compare ACROBEAT with a commercially available conventional cardiac imaging protocol that utilizes multisweep retrospective ECG‐gated acquisition. For ACROBEAT, real‐time control of the gantry position was enabled through the Siemens Test Automation Control system. ACROBEAT and conventional image acquisitions of the CIRS Dynamic Cardiac Phantom were performed, using five patient‐measured ECG traces. The traces had average heart rates of 56, 64, 76, 86, and 100 bpm. The total number of acquired projections was compared between the ACROBEAT and conventional acquisition methods. The image quality was assessed via the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and root‐mean square error (RMSE).ResultsCompared to the conventional protocol, ACROBEAT reduced the total number of projections acquired by 90%. The visual image quality provided by the ACROBEAT acquisitions, across all traces, matched or improved compared to conventional acquisition and was independent of the patient’s heart rate. Across all traces, ACROBEAT averaged 1.4 times increase in the CNR, a 23% increase in the SSIM and a 29% decrease in the RMSE compared to conventional and was independent of the patient’s heart rate.ConclusionAdaptive patient imaging is feasible on a clinical robotic CBCT system, delivering higher quality images while reducing the number of projections acquired by 90% compared to conventional cardiac imaging protocols.
Validation of hair ethyl glucuronide using transdermal monitoring and self‐reported alcohol use in women of childbearing potential
Authors: Blair Andrea L. , Chiaf Ashleigh L. , Crockett Erica K. , Teague Tracy Kent , Croff Julie M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimThe present study aimed to evaluate the validity of hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations compared with transdermal alcohol concentration and self‐reported alcohol use.MethodsThis trial included 25 adolescent and young adult females, aged 16‐24, who reported at least one heavy drinking episode (≥4 drinks) in the two weeks prior to baseline. All participants were asked to wear an alcohol biosensor over a one‐month prospective study. Detailed self‐report of drinking behaviors was assessed weekly. Estimates of blood alcohol concentration were computed from self‐report data using the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration equation. Transdermal alcohol concentration and estimated blood alcohol concentration data were categorized into at‐risk (>0.05 g/dL alcohol) and high‐risk (>0.08 g/dL alcohol) drinking events. Hair ethyl glucuronide concentration, total number of drinking events, moderate (>0.05 g/dL) and high level (>0.08 g/dL) of transdermal alcohol concentration, and estimated blood alcohol concentration drinking events were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation test for validity comparisons.ResultsNo significant correlations were found between hair ethyl glucuronide values and total number, and moderate or high levels of detected drinking events by estimated blood alcohol concentration or transdermal alcohol concentration. Total number of drinking events detected and number of drinking events >0.08 g/dL using estimated blood alcohol concentration and transdermal alcohol concentration methods were significantly correlated with each other (respectively, R = .33, P < .05; R = .42, P < .05).ConclusionOur findings indicate that, due to the number of false negatives, hair ethyl glucuronide concentrations should be used with caution for monitoring abstinence from alcohol use.
Characterization and simulation of the nonlinear thermal field of the aramid/bismaleimide composites caused by the dielectric heating effects of the microwave radiations
Authors: Liu Kai , Xu Xiangyu , Zhang Boming 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aramid/bismaleimide composites are severely affected by the dielectric heating effects of the microwave radiations during use as the microwave functional materials. This study aims to characterize and predict the nonlinear thermal fields and thermal damages of the aramid/bismaleimide composites caused by the microwave radiations. The microwave radiation experiments were performed using a tailor‐made system, and the equilibrium temperature and thermal damage threshold of the aramid/bismaleimide composites were experimentally determined. The temperature variation, thermal damage mechanism, and effect of the composite thickness associated with the dielectric heating were analyzed. Further, a simulation approach was developed to predict the nonlinear thermal fields of the composites caused by the microwave radiations. The dielectric heating process was considered an internal heat source, and a loop program was subsequently designed to implement the nonlinear thermal load. The developed simulation method efficiently predicted the equilibrium temperature and thermal damage of the composite materials due to the dielectric heating effect. The microwave radiation power was suggested to remain below 550 W for 3 mm thick aramid composites during service as a wave‐transmitting material.
Global COVID‐19 pandemic and reporting behavior ‐ An analysis of the Food and Drug Administration adverse events reporting system
Authors: Dörks Michael , Jobski Kathrin , Hoffmann Falk , Douros Antonios 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeTo describe the characteristics of adverse event reporting in the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) before and after the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsWe included all FAERS reports from the US and Canada from November 7, 2019 to July 15, 2020 and divided the study period into three equal time intervals (pre‐pandemic, first pandemic, second pandemic). We focused on methotrexate, a broadly used drug unrelated to COVID‐19, and (hydroxy)chloroquine, another broadly used drug implicated in COVID‐19 treatment. Using descriptive statistics, we compared reporting characteristics before and after the COVID‐19 outbreak.ResultsDuring the study period, 366 998 cases (60% female, median age: 59 years) were submitted to FAERS. The daily median number of reports (1796 in the pre‐pandemic, 1810 in the second pandemic time interval) and other characteristics remained stable. The daily median number of reports for methotrexate decreased from 28 in the pre‐pandemic to 15 in the second pandemic time interval, with no considerable differences in other characteristics. The daily median number of reports for (hydroxy)chloroquine increased slightly from 1 in the pre‐pandemic to 3 in the second pandemic time interval, while there were also changes in the demographics of cases and an increase in the proportion of cases reported by health professionals.ConclusionsThe overall reporting to FAERS did not change after the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, some stimulated reporting was observed for (hydroxy)chloroquine, highlighting the need for caution when conducting pharmacovigilance analyses with substances related to COVID‐19.
A new approach for estimating parameters of two‐parameter bathtub‐shaped lifetime distribution under modified progressive hybrid censoring
Authors: Zhu Tiefeng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe lifetime distributions with bathtub‐shaped hazard rate functions and censoring scheme have been used widely in life testing and reliability engineering. This paper develops a new approach for estimating parameters of an important two‐parameter lifetime data analysis model with bathtub‐shaped hazard rate function under the assumption that sample is modified progressively hybrid censored. One of the most frequently used methodologies, maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, is used for estimating unknown parameters. The estimates of unknown parameters are proposed using popular Newton–Raphson algorithm because the estimators cannot be obtained in closed forms. It is well known that the convergence of Newton–Raphson algorithm is affected by an initial point. Therefore, a new Newton–Raphson algorithm with an adaptive initial point within the exact joint confidence region has been suggested to compute the ML estimation. Extensive numerical simulations show that the proposed algorithm converges all the times and it is effective. Finally, one real‐world data set from engineering is analysed to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Memory‐type control charts with multiple auxiliary information for process mean
Authors: Haq Abdul , Khoo Michael B. C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMemory‐type auxiliary‐information‐based (AIB) control charts are very effective in detecting small‐to‐moderate shifts in the process mean. In this study, we first develop a unique uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator of the process mean that requires information on the study variable as well as on several correlated auxiliary variables. Then, based on this estimator, adaptive and nonadaptive CUSUM and EWMA charts are developed with either fixed or variable sampling interval for monitoring the process mean, namely, the multiple AIB (MAIB) charts. The proposed charts encompass existing charts with or without the auxiliary information. The run length characteristics of the proposed charts are computed with the Monte Carlo simulations when sampling from a multivariate normal distribution. Based on the run length comparisons, it is found that the MAIB charts are uniformly and substantially more sensitive than the AIB charts when monitoring the process mean. Real datasets are also considered to explain the implementation of the MAIB charts.