bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors Influencing Venous Cerebral Infarction after Meningioma Resection
Authors: cai qing , Wang Shoujie , Zheng Min , Wang Xuejiao , Liu Rong , Liu Liqin , Qin Huaizhou , Feng Dayun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction Venous cerebral infarction is a serious complication after meningioma resection. To reduce the incidence of venous infarction, we identified risk factors for postoperative venous cerebral infarction after surgical resection of meningioma in patients with clinical symptoms.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 1127 patients with intracranial meningiomas who underwent resection in our hospital were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Venous cerebral infarction was evaluated by postoperative imaging and clinical manifestations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with venous cerebral infarction.Results Overall, 3.3% (37/1127) of patients experienced symptomatic venous cerebral infarction after meningioma resection. Multivariate analysis revealed superficial meningioma, moderate to severe peritumoral edema, peritumoral critical vein and WHO grade II-III as independent predictors of a postoperative venous cerebral infarction. After timely intervention, the symptoms were clearly alleviated in one month, and the prognosis was good, but injury to key veins could cause irreversible neurological disorders.Conclusions Intraoperative protection of veins is the primary way to prevent venous cerebral infarction. The present study identified several significant and independent risk factors for postoperative venous infarction, thereby enabling the identification of high-risk patients who require special attention during clinical and surgical management.
Single Incision Thenar Muscle Reconstruction Using the Free Functional Pronator Quadratus Flap
Authors: Aman Martin , Boecker Arne H. , Thielen Mirjam , Mueller Camillo T. , Bigdeli Amir K. , Kneser Ulrich , Harhaus Leila 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background:Injuries to the thenar muscle mass or the thenar branch of the median nerve and resulting loss of thumb opposition lead to a massive impairment of hand function. For decades, reconstructive approaches were based on tendon transfers. To broaden the reconstructive repertoire, we present the free functional pronator quadratus flap as a viable alternative for functional reconstruction and provide a specification for its indication.We demonstrate our surgical technique to a single incision reconstruction using the free functional pronator quadratus flap. Based on a series of three patients, which were analyzed for hand function using Kapandji’s score and the angle of Bourrel, grip strength and nerve conduction velocity in a two year follow up, we present an indication algorithm.Results:After successful reinnervation of all flaps, we found an improvement of Kapandji’s score from 4.3 ± 0.94 preoperatively, to 8.7 ± 0.47 after two years. Accordingly, the angle of Bourrel decreased from 75.75 ± 3.45 degrees to 36.96 ± 3.68 degree. Grip strength also improved from 14 ± 2.2 kg to 26.2 ± 1.2 kg. No impairment of wrist pronation was observed.Conclusion:We found excellent functional recovery of thumb opposition and strength, showing similar or even superior results compared to results from tendon transfers. With the benefit of a single incision surgery and therefore minimal donor site morbidity, this free functional muscle transfer is a viable alternative to classic tendon transfers.
The Investigation of the Optimization Scheme of the Low-cycle Fatigue Cropping Based on the Acoustic Emission Technique
Authors: Ren Yujian , Li Jingxiang , Dong Yuanzhe , Jin Dong , Zhao Shengdun 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
High efficiency and good section quality are two main objectives of metal bar cropping. A suitable control method can help to achieve both goals. An investigation of the control method of low-cycle fatigue cropping (LCFC) based on the acoustic emission (AE) technique has been proposed in this study. Ring-down counts and kurtosis are used to monitor the whole process of LCFC. The results showed that kurtosis is more suitable for monitoring the LCFC process and as a critical parameter to optimize the control method than ring-down counts in the noisy factory environment.Moreover, three types of materials are studied in this experiment; by combine with the AE results, macroscopic images and microscopic images of sections, characteristics of various LCFC stages are obtained. The results also indicated reduce the area of the transient fracture zone is the key to improve the section quality. Reducing the load frequency before the unstable crack propagation stage will beneficial to realize the goals. Based on the evaluation of kurtosis, an optimized control method is presented, and two control parameters: transient time T and the critical value of the slope of kurtosis C are determined. For 16Mn, 1045 and Al 6061, the T is 5s, 10s, and 1s, respectively. For 16Mn, 1045, and Al 6061, the C is 100, 300, and 0, respectively. Two parameters, h and S, are used to evaluate the section quality and four control strategies are compared. The results indicate the optimal control methods can improve the section quality effectively. The influence trend of reducing loading frequency is investigated by further comparison. It can be seen as the frequency decreases, the efficiency of the section quality improving decreases. In order to realize the optimal results, different control strategies are adopted for different materials. Strategy 1 (high frequency is 20Hz，high frequency thought the whole process), strategy 2 (high frequency is 20Hz，low frequency is 8.33Hz), and strategy 3 (high frequency is 20Hz，low frequency is 6.67Hz) is suitable for Al 6061, 1045, and 16Mn, respectively.
Key Residues of Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry2Ab for Oligomerization and Pore-Formation Activity
Authors: Pan Zhi-Zhen , Xu Lian , Liu Bo , Chen Qing-Xi , Zhu Yu-Jing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
As a pore-forming toxin, oligomerization and pore-formation were both required for the mode of action of Cry toxins. Previous studies revealed that Domain I helices α4-α5 were involved in oligomerization of Cry2Ab, while the active residues in charge of Cry2Ab aggregation remained ambiguous. In present studies, we built 20 Cry2Ab alanine mutants site directed in helices α4-α5 and demonstrated that mutants N151A, T152A, F157A, L183A, L185A and I188A blocked the assembly of 250 kDa oligomers, suggesting that those residues were key residues for Cry2Ab oligomerization. As expected, those variants severely reduced the insecticidal activity against P. xylostella which was similar to our previous reports. Furthermore, we found that the pore-forming activities of non-oligomerization mutants sharply decreased compared to wild-type Cry2Ab. Taken together, our data comprehensively identified key residues for Cry2Ab for the first time and emphasized that oligomerization was closely related to insecticidal activity and pore-forming activity in Cry2Ab.
The light-to-nutrient ratio in alpine lakes: different scenarios of bacterial nutrient limitation and community structure in lakes above and below the treeline
Authors: Su Yaling , Du Yingxun , Xing Peng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The light-to-nutrient hypothesis proposes that under high light-to-nutrient conditions, bacteria tend to be limited by phosphorus (P), while under relatively low light-to-nutrient conditions, bacteria are likely driven towards carbon (C) limitation. Exploring whether this light-to-nutrient hypothesis is fitting for alpine lakes has profound implications for predicting the impacts of climatic and environmental changes on the structures and processes of aquatic ecosystems in climate-sensitive regions. We investigated the environmental conditions and bacterioplankton community compositions of 15 high-elevation lakes (7 above and 8 below treeline). High light-to-nutrient conditions (denoted by the reciprocal value of the attenuation coefficient (1/K) to total phosphorus (TP)), high chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations, low TP concentrations and low ratios of the dissolved organic carbon concentration to the dissolved total nitrogen concentration (DOC: DTN) were detected in above-treeline lakes. Significant positive correlations between the bacterioplankton community compositions with 1/K:TP ratios and Chl a concentrations indicated that not only high light energy but also nutrient competition between phytoplankton and bacteria might induce P limitation for bacteria. In contrast, low light-to-nutrient conditions and high allochthonous DOC input in below-treeline lakes lessen P limitation and C limitation. The most abundant genus, Polynucleobacter, was significantly enriched and more diverse oligotypes of Polynucleobacter OTUs were identified in the below-treeline lakes, indicating the divergence of niche adaptations among Polynucleobacter oligotypes. The discrepancies in the light-to-P ratio and the components of organic matter between the above-treeline and below-treeline lakes have important implications for the nutrient limitation of bacterioplankton and their community compositions.
Early Pregnancy Peripheral Blood DNA Methylation and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Huang Jin , Long Sisi , Lin Huijun , Zhang Na , Tian Mengyuan , Wu Xinrui , An Rongjing , Ma Shujuan , Tan Hongzhuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction:

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling has been used to identify CpG sites relevant to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, these sites have not been verified in larger samples. Here, our aim was to evaluate the changes in target CpG sites in the peripheral blood of pregnant women with GDM in their first trimester.
Research Design and Methods:

This nested case-control study examined a large cohort of women with GDM in early pregnancy (10–15 weeks; n = 80). Target CpG sites were extracted from related published literature and bioinformatics analysis. The DNA methylation levels at 337 CpG sites located in 27 target genes were determined using MethylTarget™ sequencing. The best cut-off levels for methylation of CpG sites were determined using the generated ROC curve. The independent effect of CpG site methylation status on GDM was analyzed using conditional logistic regression.
Results

Methylation levels at 6 CpG sites were significantly higher in the GDM group than in controls, whereas those at 7 CpG sites were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve at each methylation level of the significant CpG sites ranged between 0.593 and 0.650 for GDM prediction. After adjusting for possible confounders, the hypermethylation status of candidate sites cg68167324 (OR = 3.168, 1.038–9.666) and cg24837915 (OR = 5.232, 1.659–16.506) was identified as more strongly associated with GDM; conversely, the hypermethylation of sites cg157130156 (OR = 0.361, 0.135–0.966) and cg89438648 (OR = 0.206, 0.065–0.655) might indicate lower risk of GDM.
Conclusions

The methylation status of target CpG sites in the peripheral blood of pregnant women during the first trimester is associated with GDM pathogenesis, and has potential as a predictor of GDM.
Implicit Sustainable Development Theories Obscure Disproportionate Impacts from Climate-related Extreme Events: Example from Hurricane Michael and Housing Losses on Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Authors: Boda Chad Stephen , Scown Murray , Faran Turaj 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A central challenge for sustainable development (SD) is how societies are to avoid, minimize or address impacts from anthropogenic climate change. However, competing perspective on “what should be sustained” lead to widely different understandings of what mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage entail and how best to approach them. We provide a novel conceptual and empirical comparison of two contrasting SD-based theoretical approaches to the study of impacts from climate-related extreme events: Capital Theory and Human Development. We use our analysis of immediate residential property value and housing capacity impacts caused by Hurricane Michael in Gulf County, Florida, to demonstrate how the theory used to assess and interpret impacts greatly affects the identification of whom and where is considered to be objectively “most impacted”. From our comparative analysis and discussion, we conclude that, while currently underutilized, Human Development is the more advanced approach to SD oriented climate-impact research and policy when compared to Capital Theory.
Early-stage Studies to Larger-scale Trials: Investigators’ Perspectives on Scaling-Up Childhood Obesity Interventions
Authors: von Klinggraeff Lauren , Dugger Roddrick , Okely Anthony , Lubans David , Jago Russ , Burkart Sarah , Weaver R. Glenn , Armstrong Bridget , Beets Michael W 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Pilot/feasibility studies play an important role in the development and refinement of behavioral interventions by providing information about feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy. Despite their importance and wide-spread use, the approaches taken by behavioral scientists to scale-up early-stage studies to larger-scale trials has received little attention. The aim of our study was to understand the role that pilot studies play in the development and execution of larger-scale trials.Methods: We conducted interviews with behavioral interventionists identified in a systematic review as the lead author of a published pilot study that had also published larger-scale trial on a topic related to childhood obesity. Questions were asked about the role of pilot studies in developing larger-scale trials and the challenges encountered when scaling-up an intervention based upon pilot findings. Data were coded and analyzed using an inductive analytic approach to identify themes.Results: 24 Interventionists (54% women, 37-70 yrs old, mean 20 years since terminal degree) completed a total of 148 pilot studies across their careers (mean 6.4, range 1-20), of which 59% were scaled-up. Scaling was described as resource intensive and pilot work was considered essential to successfully competing for funding by 63% of the sample (n=15). When asked to define a high-quality pilot study, interventionists described studies that allowed them to evaluate components of their intervention (e.g., acceptability, feasibility) and study parameters (e.g., sample size, measures). Interventionists expressed that more process implementation measures, different study designs, and additional iterations could improve decisions to scale-up. Most agreed that pilot studies were likely to produce inflated estimates of potential efficacy though only nine interventionists provided potential solutions for decreasing inflated measures of efficacy. Suggested major causes of inflated effects included high levels of oversight in pilot studies (e.g., researcher support), reliance on subjective measures, and utilizing convenience or highly motivated samples. Potential solutions included designing pilots for real-world implementation, only conducting randomized controlled pilot studies, and pre-registering pilot studies. Conclusions: Pilot studies purposes are multifaceted and deemed essential to obtaining funding for larger-scale trials. Clarifying the form and function of preliminary, early-stage research may enhance the productive utilization of early-stage studies and reduced “voltage drop”.
Adolescent pregnancy and current contraceptive use among adolescent and young women aged 16-24 years in Durban and Soweto, South Africa
Authors: Beksinska Malgorzata , Closson Kalysha , Smit Jenni , Dietrich Janan , Hornschuh Stefanie , Smith Patricia , Nduna Mzikazi , Brockman Mark , Ndung’u Thumbi , Gray Glenda , Kaida Angela 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
High rates of adolescent pregnancies in South Africa continues to be a pressing public health concern. This study examines (1) the prevalence of current contraceptive use; and (2) the independent association between adolescent pregnancy and effective contraception use.
Methods
This study uses baseline cross-sectional data from a youth-centered sexual and reproductive health (SRH) cohort study among youth (aged 16–24) in Soweto and Durban (2011–2017). Among 207/253 females reporting consensual sexual activity, crude and adjusted logistic regression examine associations between ever having an adolescent pregnancy (aged 15–19) or pregnancy at age 20–24 (ref no pregnancy) and effective contraception use (barrier and/or hormonal methods) in the last 6 months.
Results
Over one-third (34.3%, n = 71) of females reported a history of adolescent pregnancy and 13.0% (n = 27) had a pregnancy at age 20–24. Nearly all (95.9%, n = 94) first pregnancies were unintentional. Current effective contraceptive use was reported by 74.6% (n = 53) with an adolescent pregnancy, 66.6% (n = 18) of those pregnant at 20–24 years, and 46.8% (n = 51) of never pregnant females (p < 0.001). All effective contraceptive users pregnant at 20–24 years and 83% (n = 44) of the adolescent pregnancy group reported using hormonal methods vs. 52.9% (n = 27) of never pregnant females. In the adjusted model, a history of adolescent pregnancy was associated with 3.45 (95%CI = 1.75–6.82) times greater odds of effective contraceptive use (vs. no pregnancy).
Conclusion
suggest that adolescent females are accessing effective methods of contraception including hormonal methods only after a pregnancy event, highlighting the need for earlier provision of youth-friendly SRH services.
A General Theory of Polymer Ejection Tested in a Quasi Two-Dimensional Space
Authors: Hsiao Pai-Yi , Chen Wei-Yei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
A general ejection theory of polymer is developed in a two- and three-dimensional space.A polymer is confined initially in a cavity and ejects spontaneously to the outer space through a nanopore channel without the help of any external stimulus. A reflective wall boundary is set at the pore entrance to prevent the falling of the head monomer of chain into the cavity. Three stages are distinguished in a process: (1) the entering stage, in which the head monomer enters the pore to search for a way to traverse the pore channel, (2) the main ejection stage, in which the chain body is transported from the cavity to the outer space, (3) the leaving stage, in which the tail monomer passes through and leaves the pore channel. Depending on the number of the monomers remaining in the cavity, the main ejection stage can be divided into the confined and the non-confined stages. The non-confined stage can be further split into the thermal escape and the entropic pulling stages. The Onsager's variational principle is used to derive the kinetics equation of ejection. The escape time is calculated from the corresponding Kramers' escape problem.Extensive molecular dynamics simulations are then performed in a quasi two-dimensional space to verify the theory. The variation of the ejection speed is carefully examined in a process. The decreasing behavior of the number of monomers in the cavity is studied in details. The scaling properties of the spending time at each processing stage are investigated systematically by varying the chain length, the cavity diameter, and the initial volume fraction of chain. The results of simulation support firmly the predictions of the theory, cross-checked in the studies of various topics. Together with the previous investigations in the three-dimensional space, the generalized theory is very robust able to explain the two seemly different phenomena, polymer ejection and polymer translocation, under the same theoretical framework in the two space dimensions.
Marginal and internal fit and intaglio surface trueness of interim crowns fabricated from tooth preparation of four finish line locations
Authors: Son Keunbada , Son Young-Tak , Lee Ji-Min , Lee Kyu-Bok 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study evaluated the marginal and internal fit and intaglio surface trueness of interim crowns fabricated from tooth preparation scanned at four finish line locations. The right maxillary first molar tooth preparation model was fabricated using a ceramic material and placed in four finish line locations (supragingival, equigingival, subgingival, and subgingival with a cord). Intraoral scanning was performed. Crowns were designed based on the scanned area. Interim crowns were fabricated using a stereolithography three-dimensional (3D) printer (N = 16 per location). Marginal and internal fit were evaluated with a silicone replica technique. Intaglio surface trueness was evaluated using a 3D inspection software. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey HSD test were performed for comparisons (α = 0.05). The marginal and internal fit showed significant differences according to locations (P < 0.05); the marginal fit showed the best results in the supragingival finish line (P < 0.05). Intaglio surface trueness was significantly different in the marginal region, with the highest value in the subgingival location (P < 0.05). Crowns fabricated on the subgingival finish line caused inaccurate marginal fit due to poor fabrication reproducibility of the marginal region. A supragingival finish line is recommended for interim crown fabrication using an intraoral scanner.
Quantum electron motion control in dielectric
Authors: Hui Dandan , Alqattan Husain , Yamada Shunsuke , Pervak Volodymyr , Yabana Kazuhiro , Hassan Mohammed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Attosecond science capitalizes on the extreme nonlinearity of strong fields, driven by few-cycle pulses, to attain attosecond temporal resolution and give access to the electron motion dynamics of matter in real-time. Here, we measured the electronic delay response of the dielectric system triggered by a strong field of few-cycle pulses to be in the order of 425 ± 98 as. Moreover, we exploited the electronic response following the strong driver field to demonstrate all-optical light field metrology with attosecond resolution. This field sampling methodology provides a direct connection between the driver field and the induced ultrafast dynamics in matter. Also, we demonstrate the quantum electron motion control in dielectric using synthesized light waveforms. This on-demand electron motion control realizes the long-anticipated ultrafast optical switches and quantum electronics. This advancement promises to increase the limiting speed of data processing and information encoding to rates that exceed 1 petabit/s, opening a new realm of information technology.