bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stroke and immunotherapy: Potential mechanisms and its implications as immune‐therapeutics
Authors: Chavda Vishal , Madhwani Kajal , Chaurasia Bipin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIschemia or brain injuries are mostly associated with emergency admissions and huge mortality rates. Stroke is a fatal cerebrovascular malady and second top root of disability and death in both developing and developed countries with a projected rise of 24.9% (from 2010) by 2030. It's the most frequent cause of morbidities and systemic permanent morbidities due to its multi‐organ systemic pathology. Brain edema or active immune response cause disturbed or abnormal systemic affects causing inflammatory damage leading to secondary infection and secondary immune response which leads to activation like pneumonia or urine tract infections. There are a variety of post stroke treatments available which claims their usefulness in reducing or inhibiting post stroke and recurrent stroke damage followed by heavy inflammatory actions. Stroke does change the quality of life and also ensures daily chronic rapid neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. The only approved therapies for stroke are alteplase and thrombectomy which is associated with adverse outcomes and are not a total cure for ischemic stroke. Stroke and immune response are reciprocal to the pathology and time of event and it progresses till untreated. The immune reaction during ischemia opens new doors for advanced targeted therapeutics. Nowadays stem cell therapy has shown better results in stroke‐prone individuals. Few monoclonal antibodies like natalizumab have shown great impact on pre‐clinical and clinical stroke trial studies. In this current review, we have explored an immunology of stroke, current therapeutic scenario and future potential targets as immunotherapeutic agents in stroke therapeutics.
Direct and indirect disturbance impacts in forests
Authors: Bowd Elle J. , Banks Sam C. , Bissett Andrew , May Tom W. , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHuman and natural disturbances are key drivers of change in forest ecosystems. Yet, the direct and indirect mechanisms which underpin these changes remain poorly understood at the ecosystem level. Here, using structural equation modelling across a 150+ year chronosequence, we disentangle the direct and indirect effects of major disturbances in a temperate forest ecosystem. We show that wildfires, logging and post‐fire (salvage) logging can affect plant and microbial communities and abiotic soil properties both directly and indirectly through plant–soil–microbial interactions. We quantified 68 direct and indirect disturbance effects across these components, with the majority resulting in ecosystem‐wide adverse effects. Indirect disturbance effects accounted for 43% of total disturbance effects, with some amplifying or partially mitigating direct disturbance effects. Overall, human disturbances were associated with more negative effects than natural disturbances. Our analyses provide novel insights into the multifaceted dynamics of forest disturbances and the mechanisms which underpin their relative impacts.
The SANTÉ study at 10 years of follow‐up: Effectiveness, safety, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Authors: Salanova Vicenta , Sperling Michael R. , Gross Robert E. , Irwin Chris P. , Vollhaber Jim A. , Giftakis Jonathon E. , Fisher Robert S. ,   SANTÉ Study Group
Published: April 2021

SummaryObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of deep brain anterior thalamus stimulation after 7 and 10 years, and report the incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and overall mortality in adults in the Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus for Epilepsy (SANTÉ) study.MethodsAfter the 3‐month blinded and 9‐month unblinded phases, subjects continued to be assessed during long‐term follow‐up (LTFU) and later a continued therapy access phase (CAP), to further characterize adverse events and the incidence of SUDEP. Stimulus parameter and medication changes were allowed.ResultsOne hundred ten implanted subjects accumulated a total of 938 device‐years of experience (69 subjects during the LTFU phase and 61 subjects in the CAP phase). Prior to study closure, 57 active subjects continued therapy at 14 study centers, with follow‐up of at least 10 (maximum 14) years. At 7 years, median seizure frequency percent reduction from baseline was 75% (p < .001), with no outcome differences related to prior vagus nerve stimulation or resective surgery. The most severe seizure type, focal to bilateral tonic–clonic, was reduced by 71%. Adding new antiseizure medications did not impact the pattern of seizure reduction over time. There were no unanticipated serious adverse events in the study. The definite‐plus‐probable SUDEP rate, based on SANTÉ study experience (two deaths in 938 years) and previous pilot studies (0 deaths in 76 years), indicated a rate of 2.0 deaths for 1000 person‐years. Overall mortality was 6.9 deaths per 1000 person‐years.SignificanceThe long‐term efficacy and safety profiles of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) system for epilepsy are favorable and demonstrate stable outcomes. Improvement in frequency of the most severe seizure type may reduce SUDEP risk. The SUDEP rate with DBS (2.0) is comparable to other neuromodulation treatments (i.e., vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation) for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy.
Natural CO2 seeps reveal adaptive potential to ocean acidification in fish
Authors: Petit‐Marty Natalia , Nagelkerken Ivan , Connell Sean D. , Schunter Celia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractVolcanic CO2 seeps are natural laboratories that can provide insights into the adaptation of species to ocean acidification. While many species are challenged by reduced‐pH levels, some species benefit from the altered environment and thrive. Here, we explore the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to ocean acidification in a population of a temperate fish species that experiences increased population sizes under elevated CO2. Fish from CO2 seeps exhibited an overall increased gene expression in gonad tissue compared with those from ambient CO2 sites. Up‐regulated genes at CO2 seeps are possible targets of adaptive selection as they can directly influence the physiological performance of fishes exposed to ocean acidification. Most of the up‐regulated genes at seeps were functionally involved in the maintenance of pH homeostasis and increased metabolism, and presented a deviation from neutral evolution expectations in their patterns of DNA polymorphisms, providing evidence for adaptive selection to ocean acidification. The targets of this adaptive selection are likely regulatory sequences responsible for the increased expression of these genes, which would allow a fine‐tuned physiological regulation to maintain homeostasis and thrive at CO2 seeps. Our findings reveal that standing genetic variation in DNA sequences regulating the expression of genes in response to a reduced‐pH environment could provide for adaptive potential to near‐future ocean acidification in fishes. Moreover, with this study we provide a forthright methodology combining transcriptomics and genomics, which can be applied to infer the adaptive potential to different environmental conditions in wild marine populations.
Fruit category classification by fractional Fourier entropy with rotation angle vector grid and stacked sparse autoencoder
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Dong , Satapathy Suresh Chandra , Wang Shui‐Hua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimFruit category classification is important in factory packing and transportation, price prediction, dietary intake, and so forth.MethodsThis study proposed a novel artificial intelligence system to classify fruit categories. First, 2D fractional Fourier entropy with rotation angle vector grid was used to extract features from fruit images. Afterwards, a five‐layer stacked sparse autoencoder was used as the classifier.ResultsTen runs on the test set showed our method achieved a micro‐averaged F1 score of 95.08% for an 18‐category fruit dataset.ConclusionOur method gives better micro‐averaged F1 score than 10 state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Meta‐analysis of yield and nitrous oxide outcomes for nitrogen management in agriculture
Authors: Maaz Tai M. , Sapkota Tek B. , Eagle Alison J. , Kantar Michael B. , Bruulsema Tom W. , Majumdar Kaushik 
Published: April 2021

AbstractImproved nitrogen (N) use is key to future food security and environmental sustainability. While many regions still experience N shortages, agriculture is the leading global emitter of N2O due to losses exacerbated by N surpluses in other regions. In order to sustainably maintain or increase food production, farmers and their advisors need a comprehensive and actionable understanding of how nutrient management affects both yield and N2O emissions, particularly in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. We performed a meta‐analysis to determine the effect of N management and other factors on N2O emissions, plant N uptake, and yield. Our analysis demonstrates that performance indicators—partial N balance and partial factor productivity—predicted N2O emissions as well as or better than N rate. While we observed consistent production and environmental benefits with enhanced‐efficiency fertilizers, we noted potential trade‐offs between yield and N2O emissions for fertilizer placement. Furthermore, we observed confounding effects due to management dynamics that co‐vary with nutrient application practices, thus challenging the interpretation of the effect of specific practices such as fertilization frequency. Therefore, rather than providing universally prescriptive management for N2O emission reduction, our evidence supports mitigation strategies based upon tailored nutrient management approaches that keep N balances within safe limits, so as to minimize N2O emissions while still achieving high crop yields. The limited evidence available suggests that these relationships hold for temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions, but given the potential for expansion of N use in crop production, further N2O data collection should be prioritized in under‐represented regions such as Sub‐Saharan Africa.
Classifying ecosystem stressor interactions: Theory highlights the data limitations of the additive null model and the difficulty in revealing ecological surprises
Authors: Burgess Benjamin J. , Purves Drew , Mace Georgina , Murrell David J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUnderstanding how multiple co‐occurring environmental stressors combine to affect biodiversity and ecosystem services is an on‐going grand challenge for ecology. Currently, progress has been made through accumulating large numbers of smaller‐scale empirical studies that are then investigated by meta‐analyses to detect general patterns. There is particular interest in detecting, understanding and predicting ‘ecological surprises’ where stressors interact in a non‐additive (e.g. antagonistic or synergistic) manner, but so far few general results have emerged. However, the ability of the statistical tools to recover non‐additive interactions in the face of data uncertainty is unstudied, so crucially, we do not know how well the empirical results reflect the true stressor interactions. Here, we investigate the performance of the commonly implemented additive null model. A meta‐analysis of a large (545 interactions) empirical dataset for the effects of pairs of stressors on freshwater communities reveals additive interactions dominate individual studies, whereas pooling the data leads to an antagonistic summary interaction class. However, analyses of simulated data from food chain models, where the underlying interactions are known, suggest both sets of results may be due to observation error within the data. Specifically, we show that the additive null model is highly sensitive to observation error, with non‐additive interactions being reliably detected at only unrealistically low levels of data uncertainty. Similarly, plausible levels of observation error lead to meta‐analyses reporting antagonistic summary interaction classifications even when synergies co‐dominate. Therefore, while our empirical results broadly agree with those of previous freshwater meta‐analyses, we conclude these patterns may be driven by statistical sampling rather than any ecological mechanisms. Further investigation of candidate null models used to define stressor‐pair interactions is essential, and once any artefacts are accounted for, the so‐called ‘ecological surprises’ may be more frequent than was previously assumed.
Dental plaque control strategies for the elderly population: A scoping review
Authors: Ruiz Núñez María del Rosario , da Luz Raulino Mariane , Goulart Castro Renata , Schaefer Ferreira de Mello Ana Lúcia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo review the scientific literature and identify dental plaque control strategies focussed on elderly people that improve plaque indices.DesignScoping review (Joanna Briggs protocol).Data sourcesIndividual search strategies developed for six databases. The selection of the manuscripts in two phases: title and abstract review, and complete review.Eligibility criteriaStudies on interventions for plaque control in elderly people (60y+). Epidemiological studies and those focussed on caregivers, health professionals and periodontal maintenance therapies were excluded.ResultsThe initial search yielded 2803 studies, 26 were included. The results were classified into: exclusively chemical (10), educational (9), exclusively mechanical (6), and combined mechanical and chemical (1). The studies reported different types of interventions: sugarless chewing gum, chlorhexidine (CHX) in different preparations and concentrations, mouthwash based on essential oils, stannous/sodium fluoride dentifrice and lactoferrin/lactoperoxidase tablets. Additionally, conventional and alternative toothbrushes and professional brushing were tested. Educational interventions included oral hygiene guidance, verbal information, and demonstrations of dental and denture cleaning procedures, and lifestyle changes. Many studies have reported strategies that improve dental plaque indices but without statistical significance when compared to control groups. Promising results were found with the use of CHX, sugarless chewing gum, professional brushing and educational strategies with demonstration, but the results were not long‐lasting.ConclusionThe literature reports that mechanical, chemical and educational strategies have some efficacy in dental plaque control in the elderly population. The results should be viewed with caution, considering the type of intervention (isolated or combined) and the maintenance of the results obtained.
Effects of a cognitive rehabilitation programme on cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Park Myoung Ok , Oh Hyun Soo , Seo Wha Sook 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimThe study purpose was to investigate effects of a cognitive rehabilitation programme on cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.BackgroundCognitive impairment is frequently observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and it interferes with many aspects of self‐management, which is fundamental to disease management and quality of life.DesignThe design is quasi‐experimental.MethodsData collection was performed between June 2018 and March 2019. Study participants were 60 in‐ or out‐patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The cognitive rehabilitation programme involved six 30‐min sessions administered over a period of 2 weeks and consisted of six areas: attention, memory, language, visuospatial perception, executive function and problem solving. Cognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were measured at three times (preintervention and immediately and 4 weeks after intervention).ResultsCognitive function, self‐management and quality of life were found to be significantly improved over time after administration of the cognitive rehabilitation programme. However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group.ConclusionsOur findings support the potential usefulness of cognitive intervention to promote cognitive function, self‐management ability and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Misperceptions about added sugar, non‐nutritive sweeteners and juice in popular children's drinks: Experimental and cross‐sectional study with U.S. parents of young children (1‐5 years)
Authors: Harris Jennifer L. , Pomeranz Jennifer L. 
Published: April 2021

SummaryBackgroundExperts recommend against serving sugary drinks and non‐nutritive sweeteners to young children, but misperceptions about drink ingredients may contribute to consumption.ObjectivesAssess parents' ability to identify added sugar, non‐nutritive sweeteners and juice in children's drinks.MethodsResearchers recruited U.S. parents of young children (1‐5 years) through an online survey panel (N = 1603). In a randomized experiment, participants indicated whether eight popular children's drink products contained added sugar or non‐nutritive sweeteners and percentage of juice after viewing (a) front‐of‐package alone or (b) front‐of‐package plus nutrition/ingredient information. Participants also viewed common statements of identity on children's drinks to identify product ingredients.ResultsWhen viewing front‐of‐packages alone, most participants accurately identified products with (83%‐90%) and without (51%‐65%) added sugar. Showing nutrition/ingredient information increased accuracy. However, the majority could not identify drinks with non‐nutritive sweeteners (53%‐58%), and many incorrectly believed that unsweetened juices contained added sugar (38%‐43%), sweetened flavoured waters had no added sugar (24%‐25%), and 100% juice contained less than 100% juice (37%). Furthermore, the majority could not identify product ingredients from statement of identity terms.ConclusionsMisperceptions about product ingredients under current labelling practices indicate that updated regulations are necessary, including clear disclosures of sweetener and juice content on package fronts.
The early school leaving issue among Chinese students in the super‐diverse city of Prato
Authors: Ianniello Piero 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPrato, located in central Italy, is the most multi‐ethnic city in the country, hosting 20 per cent foreigner residents. It is home of one of the largest Chinese communities in Europe, specialising in the textile sector. Yet economic success does not translate into educational success for the first‐ and second‐generation Chinese students living in Prato. Early school leavings represent a pressing issue in Prato's educational system, with 16.2 per cent of all students leaving school before graduating from high school. Among foreigner students, the problem is even more alarming, reaching 50 per cent. The highest leaving rate is recorded among Chinese students.This paper examines the phenomenon of early school leavings within the Chinese community in Prato – a super‐diverse city with highly interrelated migrant dynamics. The article works to critically assess educational policies, local statistics, and ethnographic findings derived from participant observation and in‐depth interviews with headmasters, teachers, and students from one middle school (Scuola Mazzoni), three high schools (Liceo Copernico, Dagomari High School, Datini High School), and one Chinese school (Istituto Internazionale di Educazione e Mediazione Culturale) in Prato.The paper aims to explore and analyse causes for early school leaving within the Chinese community, such as flaws in the Italian legislation in conjunction with the chronic shortage of funds for schools, the clash of educational style, and the lack of parental involvement. Finally, the paper examines strategies implemented by schools in Prato in an effort to redress the phenomenon and how the low educational engagement affects the cultural, social, economic, and symbolic capital of Chinese students.
Fabrication of high‐efficiency anatase TiO2 photocatalysts using electrospinning with ultra‐violet treatment
Authors: Song Chan‐Geun , Won Jonghan , Jang Inhoon , Choi Hyeunseok 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn metal oxide nanofiber fabrication using the electrospinning method, heat treatment is performed at temperatures of 500°C or higher for crystallization and polymer desorption. Therefore, it is difficult to fabricate low‐temperature phase metal oxides that crystallize at low temperatures. TiO2, a representative metal oxide often used as photocatalysts, is known to have higher photocatalytic activity in the low‐temperature phase (anatase structure) than in the high‐temperature phase (rutile structure). Studies on the fabrication of TiO2 anatase nanofibers using conventional electrospinning have reported disadvantages such as the partial expression of rutile structures and low crystallinity. This study developed an anatase TiO2 nanofiber as a high‐efficiency catalyst based on the electrospinning method and a residual organic matter cleaning method that employs ultra‐violet (UV) light. We fabricated nanofibers using the electrospinning method and implemented TiO2 nanofibers with the anatase structure through heat treatment at 260°C. Residual organics remaining after heat treatment of the fabricated crystalized TiO2 nanofibers were removed by exposing them to UV light, thereby improving photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic efficiency of the fabricated TiO2 nanofibers was confirmed through a methylene blue (MB) decomposition experiment under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic efficiency (time taken for the concentration of the MB solution to reach 50%) of the UV‐treated TiO2 nanofibers was approximately six times higher than of P25 and the heat‐treated nanofibers.
Influence of oxygen vacancies on core‐shell formation in solid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 and SrTiO3
Authors: Steiner Sebastian , Heldt Jonas , Sobol Oded , Unger Wolfgang , Frömling Till 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSolid solutions of (Na,Bi)TiO3 (NBT) and SrTiO3 (ST) are materials of interest for high‐strain or high‐energy density capacitor applications. Often, they exhibit chemical heterogeneity and develop core‐shell structures during regular solid‐state synthesis with an NBT‐rich core. In this case, the NBT forms first so that the strontium needs to diffuse into the material to reach chemical homogeneity. Depending on the presence of core‐shell structures, the electrical properties can vary drastically. In this work, we rationalize the effect of variations in oxygen vacancy concentration by Fe‐acceptor and Nb‐donor doping. It can be shown that a diffusion couple of strontium and oxygen is responsible for chemical homogenization and that the oxygen vacancy content can control the formation of a core‐shell structure.