bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adverse childhood experiences and impact on quality of life in adulthood: development and validation of a short difficult childhood questionnaire in a large population-based health survey
Authors: Vederhus John-Kåre , Timko Christine , Haugland Siri Håvås 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
A short adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) measure is needed with non-intrusive items that include subjective evaluations of childhood. We validated a short Difficult Childhood Questionnaire (DCQ) that assesses ACEs using personal perceptions of events.

Methods
The study relied on 2019 data from a representative survey (N = 28,047) in Norway. We examined the DCQ’s factor structure, internal consistency, and discriminant validity in a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. As a group variable, we used whether the respondent had the ACE of parental alcohol use disorder (adult children of alcoholics; ACOA). To assess the DCQ’s convergent validity, we used latent regression analysis with adulthood quality of life (QoL) as the outcome and mental distress and loneliness as potential mediators.

Results
The DCQ’s latent mean was 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.90, p < 0.001) higher in the ACOA versus the non-ACOA group. The effect size suggested a large magnitude of this difference. The DCQ score was negatively associated with QoL and positively associated with mental distress and loneliness. For the score’s QoL effect [− 0.84 (95% CI − 0.87 to − 0.80, p < 0.001)], − 0.80 was indirect, and − 0.04 was direct. Thus, most of the association of DCQ with QoL occurred via mediators.

Conclusions
The results confirmed the DCQ’s discriminant and convergent validity and highlight this tool as an empirically supported approach to assess ACEs. Because of its brevity and psychometric strengths, the DCQ is useful for research and likely suited to mental health treatment settings.
Differences and Similarities in the Mechanisms and Clinical Expression of Bradykinin-Mediated vs. Mast Cell–Mediated Angioedema
Authors: Maurer Marcus , Magerl Markus 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAngioedema (AE), transient localized swelling due to extravasated fluid, is commonly classified as mast cell mediator-induced, bradykinin-mediated or of unknown cause. AE often occurs more than once, and it is these recurrent forms of AE that are challenging for patients and physicians, and they are the ones we focus on and refer to as AE in this review. Since effective treatment depends on the causative mediator, reliable and early diagnosis is essential. Although their clinical presentations bear similarities, many forms of angioedema exhibit specific patterns of clinical appearance or disease history that may aid in diagnosis. Here, we describe the most common differences and similarities in the mechanisms and clinical features of bradykinin-mediated and mast cell mediator-induced types of angioedema. We first provide an overview of the diseases that manifest with mast cell mediator-induced versus bradykinin-mediated angioedema as well as their respective underlying pathogenesis. We then compare these diseases for key clinical features, including angioedema location, course and duration of swelling, attack frequency, prevalence and relevance of prodromal signs and symptoms, triggers of angioedema attacks, and other signs and symptoms including wheals, age of onset, and duration. Our review and comparison of the clinical profiles of different types of angioedema incorporate our own clinical experience as well as published information. Our aim is to highlight that mast cell mediator-induced and bradykinin-mediated angioedema types share common features but are different in many aspects. Knowledge of the differences in underlying pathomechanisms and clinical profiles between different types of angioedema can help with the diagnostic approach in affected patients and facilitate targeted and effective treatment.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics may show an irreversible regime shift, illustrated by salmonids facing climate change
Authors: Horita Junnosuke , Iwasa Yoh , Tachiki Yuuya 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe enhanced or reduced growth of juvenile masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou masou) may result from climate changes to their environment and thus impact on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of their life-history choices. Male juveniles with status, i.e., if their body size is larger than a threshold, stay in the stream and become resident males reproducing for multiple years, while those with smaller status, i.e., their body size is below the threshold, migrate to the ocean and return to the stream one year later to reproduce only once. Since juvenile growth is suppressed by the density of resident males, the fraction of resident males may stay in equilibrium or fluctuate wildly over a 2-year period. When the threshold value evolves, the convergence stable strategy may generate either an equilibrium or large fluctuations of male residents. If environmental changes occur faster than the rate of evolutionary adaptation, the eco-evolutionary dynamics exhibit a qualitative shift in the population dynamics. We also investigated the relative assessment models, in which individual life-history choices are made based on the individual’s relative status within the juvenile population. The eco-evolutionary dynamics are very different from the absolute assessment model, demonstrating the importance of understanding the mechanisms of life history choices when predicting the impacts of climate change.
Short tutorial. Treatment options in light chain amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance
Authors: Krauth Maria T. , Agis Hermine 
Published: February 2021

SummaryAL amyloidosis (AL) and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) are both paraprotein-associated diseases. Both entities are based on a monoclonal paraprotein produced by a clonal plasma-cell population like in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or by a B-cell population like in low grade lymphoma. Per definition MGUS and low-grade lymphoma do not require treatment. But in rare cases the monoclonal M‑gradient acts as a “toxic” protein inducing severe multimodal organ damage as in AL and MGRS. Urgent treatment is indicated in AL and in MGRS to avoid irreparable loss of organ function or death. No treatment is currently approved in Europe for AL or MGRS. On January 15, 2021 the US Food and Drug Administration approved the monoclonal anti-CD38 antibody for treatment of AL. To minimize the serum M‑gradient concentration, a clone directed therapy as in multiple myeloma or B‑cell malignancies treatment regimens can be applied. In AL, an additional treatment option is under investigation. These special drugs are directed against the typical amyloid-fibrils responsible for deposition formation. An additional and important consideration in this special field of rare diseases is the option of organ transplantation in particular kidney transplantation in MGRS. All these treatment modalities are addressed in this article.
Association of Vitamin D Status with COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in the Asia Pacific region: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yadav Dharmveer , Birdi Amandeep , Tomo Sojit , Charan Jaykaran , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Sharma Praveen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. Still, very little is known about the potential protective dietary factors for the prevention of infection and mortality due to COVID-19. Keeping in view the scarcity of literature/studies available, in this regards present study was undertaken to assess if there is any correlation between mean levels of Vitamin D in various Asia Pacific countries with the infection and mortality caused by COVID-19. We collected data for mean levels of Vitamin D for 37 Asia Pacific countries for which we have also got the data regarding the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. The mean levels of Vitamin D were found to have a significant association with the number of cases/million(r =  − 0.394, p value = 0.016) and a weak association with the number of deaths/ million (r =  − 0.280, p value = 0.093) due to COVID-19. In conclusion, we found a significant relationship between Vitamin D levels with the number of COVID-19 cases. So further clinical trial/study with a large sample size is needed to elucidate the protective role of Vitamin D in COVID-19.
Load prediction of hingeless helicopter rotors including drivetrain dynamics
Authors: Weiss Felix , Kessler Christoph 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn contrast to analyses with constrained hub speed, the present study includes the dynamic response of coupled rotor-drivetrain modes in the aeromechanic simulation of rotor blade loads. The structural model of the flexible Bo105 rotor-drivetrain system is coupled to aerodynamics modeled by an analytical formulation of unsteady blade element loads combined with a generalized dynamic wake or a free wake, respectively. For two flight states, i. e. cruise flight and large blade loading, a time-marching autopilot trim of the rotor-drivetrain system in wind tunnel configuration is performed. The simulation results are compared to those of a baseline case with constant rotor hub speed. The comparison reveals a major change in the blade passage frequency harmonics of the lead-lag loads. Beside the full drivetrain model, reduced models are shown to accurately represent the drivetrain influence on blade loads, if the eigenfrequency of the coupled second collective lead-lag/drivetrain mode is properly predicted. In a sensitivity analysis, this eigenfrequency is varied by stiffness modification of a reduced drivetrain model. The resulting changes in blade loads are correlated to this eigenfrequency, which serves as a simple though accurate classification of the drivetrain regarding its influence on vibratory blade loads. Finally, the potential to improve lead-lag load predictions by application of a drivetrain model is demonstrated through the comparison of simulated loads with measurements from a wind tunnel test.
Digoxin treatment reactivates in vivo radioactive iodide uptake and correlates with favorable clinical outcome in non‐medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Crezee Thomas , Tesselaar Marika H. , Nagarajah James , Corver Willem E. , Morreau Johannes , Pritchard Catrin , Kimura Shioko , Kuiper Josephina G. , van Engen-van Grunsven Ilse , Smit Jan W. A. , Netea-Maier Romana T. , Plantinga Theo S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Non-medullary thyroid cancer (NMTC) treatment is based on the ability of thyroid follicular cells to accumulate radioactive iodide (RAI). However, in a subset of NMTC patients tumor dedifferentiation occurs, leading to RAI resistance. Digoxin has been demonstrated to restore iodide uptake capacity in vitro in poorly differentiated and anaplastic NMTC cells, termed redifferentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effects of digoxin in TPO-Cre/LSL-BrafV600E mice and digoxin-treated NMTC patients.

Methods
Mice with thyroid cancer were subjected to 3D ultrasound for monitoring tumor growth and 124I PET/CT for measurement of intratumoral iodide uptake. Post-mortem analyses on tumor tissues comprised gene expression profiling and measurement of intratumoral autophagy activity. Through PALGA (Dutch Pathology Registry), archived tumor material was obtained from 11 non-anaplastic NMTC patients who were using digoxin. Clinical characteristics and tumor material of these patients were compared to 11 matched control NMTC patients never treated with digoxin.

Results
We found that in mice, tumor growth was inhibited and 124I accumulation was sustainably increased after short-course digoxin treatment. Post-mortem analyses revealed that digoxin treatment increased autophagy activity and enhanced expression of thyroid-specific genes in mouse tumors compared to vehicle-treated mice. Digoxin-treated NMTC patients exhibited significantly higher autophagy activity and a higher differentiation status as compared to matched control NMTC patients, and were associated with favourable clinical outcome.

Conclusions
These in vivo data support the hypothesis that digoxin may represent a repositioned adjunctive treatment modality that suppresses tumor growth and improves RAI sensitivity in patients with RAI-refractory NMTC.
Hinokiflavone and Related C–O–C-Type Biflavonoids as Anti-cancer Compounds: Properties and Mechanism of Action
Authors: Goossens Jean-François , Goossens Laurence , Bailly Christian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBiflavonoids are divided in two classes: C–C type compounds represented by the dimeric compound amentoflavone and C–O–C-type compounds typified by hinokiflavone (HNK) with an ether linkage between the two connected apigenin units. This later sub-group of bisflavonyl ethers includes HNK, ochnaflavone, delicaflavone and a few other dimeric compounds, found in a variety of plants, notably Selaginella species. A comprehensive review of the anticancer properties and mechanism of action of HNK is provided, to highlight the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities of HNK and derivatives, and HNK-containing plant extracts. The anticancer effects rely on the capacity of HNK to interfere with the ERK1-2/p38/NFκB signaling pathway and the regulation of the expression of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 (with a potential direct binding to MMP-9). In addition, HNK was found to function as a potent modulator of pre-mRNA splicing, inhibiting the SUMO-specific protease SENP1. As such, HNK represents a rare SENP1 inhibitor of natural origin and a scaffold to design synthetic compounds. Oral formulations of HNK have been elaborated to enhance its solubility, to facilitate the compound delivery and to enhance its anticancer efficacy. The review shed light on the anticancer potential of C–O–C-type biflavonoids and specifically on the pharmacological profile of HNK. This compound deserves further attention as a regulator of pre-mRNA splicing, useful to treat cancers (in particular hepatocellular carcinoma) and other human pathologies.
Development of flexible textile aluminium-air battery prototype
Authors: Vališevskis Aleksandrs , Briedis Uģis , Carvalho Miguel , Ferreira Fernando 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThere is one component that virtually any embedded wearable needs—a power source. This paper proposes an energy source, which contains no harmful substances, can be stored in a stand-by dry state for indefinite time period, is flexible and has tactile characteristics similar to that of textile. The main feature of this energy source is the separation of the electrolyte and the electrodes—the electrolyte is applied only when the battery needs to be activated. This makes storage time in a dry state virtually infinite. It expands their potential use to storage solutions and healthcare/health monitoring solutions, because the design of the battery allows it to be used as an active sensor, which generates electric current, when it detects liquid. We stress that this solution is suitable for specific applications only, outlined in the paper. The main components of the battery include aluminium anode, air cathode and the cotton shell. The design includes only textile-based materials, which ensure greater flexibility and better fusion with textile materials, where the battery is intended to be integrated. Besides that, results of the experiments with multi-cell battery prototype are presented.
Functionalization of alumina particles to improve the performance of eco-friendly brake-pads
Authors: Chauhan Vanvirsinh , Bijwe Jayashree , Darpe Ashish 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAbrasives, such as oxides of alumina (Al), silica (Si), zirconia (Zr), chromium (Cr) etc., are added to raise the friction level and also to remove the glaze on the disc so that surface will be rejuvenated continuously during braking and will contribute to maintain the desired friction level. However, these inorganic particles have less adhesion with the resin/binder and hence are easily dug out during wearing process contributing to higher wear. If efforts are made to enhance the filler-matrix adhesion, not only the wear of friction material (FM) should reduce, the particles may stay for a longer time on the tribo-surface of the pads to contribute fully towards controlling the coefficient of friction (μ). In the present study, alumina particles were selected for siloxane treatment to improve the filler-matrix adhesion. Two types of eco-friendly (free from asbestos and Cu) brake-pads were developed using alumina as a theme ingredient (treated and untreated) keeping all the parent formulation identical. An additional type of brake-pads without alumina particles was also developed to observe the effect of abrasive particles on the tribo-performance. The performance properties (physical, mechanical, and tribological) of brake-pads were compared when evaluated in identical conditions. The tribo-testing was done on full-scale brake inertia dynamometer following the procedure in Japanese automobile standard (JASO C 406). It was observed that siloxane treatment affected both friction and wear of brake-pads in a beneficial way. Wear resistance got increased 35% for siloxane treated pads. Worn surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) technique.
Intellectual heartbeats classification model for diagnosis of heart disease from ECG signal using hybrid convolutional neural network with GOA
Authors: Tyagi Ankita , Mehra Ritika 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAutomatic heart disease detection from human heartbeats is a challenging and intellectual assignment in signal processing because periodically monitoring of the heart beat arrhythmia for patient is an essential task to reduce the death rate due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this paper, the focus of research is to design hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture by making use of Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) to classify different types of heart diseases from the ECG signal or human heartbeats. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) as an artificial intelligence approach is widely used in computer vision-based medical data analysis. However, the traditional CNN cannot be used for classification of heart diseases from the ECG signal because lots of noise or irrelevant data is mixed with signal. So this study utilizes the pre-processing and selection of feature for proper heart diseases classification, where Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is used for the noise reduction as well as segmentation of ECG signal and Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) is used for selection of R-peaks features from the extracted feature sets in terms of R-peaks and R-R intervals that help to attain better classification accuracy. For training as well as testing of projected Heartbeats Classification Model (HCM), the Standard MIT-BIH arrhythmia database is utilized with hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture. The assortment of proper R-peaks and R-R intervals is a major factor and because of the deficiency of apposite pre-processing phases like noise removal, signal decomposition, smoothing and filtering, the uniqueness of extracted feature is less. The experimental outcomes show that the planned HCM is effective for detecting irregular human heartbeats via R-peaks and R-R intervals. When the proposed Heartbeats Classification Model (HCM) was verified on the database, model achieved higher efficiency than other state-of-the-art techniques for 16 heartbeat disease categories and the average classification accuracy is 99.58% with fast and robust responses where the correctly classified heartbeats are 86,005 and misclassified beats is only 108 with 0.42% error rate.
Preliminary study on crosswind aerodynamics for a group of road race cyclists
Authors: Kraemer Paul , Marro Massimo , Correia Horacio , Salizzoni Pietro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUnder crosswind conditions, road cyclists experience an extra drag force and a destabilising lateral force. In these conditions a group of cyclists manages to reorganise its spatial formation to minimise these forces forming an echelon, i.e a diagonal single pace line of riders staggered across the road, a configuration which is markedly different from those adopted in wind-free conditions. To study the effect of the crosswind on drag and lateral forces on the riders we performed wind-tunnel experiments using a scale model cyclist and measuring the forces by means of a load cell. Several configurations with one, two, and four cyclists have been investigated varying yaw angles. Results show that, in a basic 4 rider configuration at a 50 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

yaw angle, a sheltered rider within the echelon experiences less than 30% of the drag of the guttered rider behind the echelon, struggling against the crosswind. Furthermore, we show that an echelon is worth being adopted under crosswind conditions only beyond a 30 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

yaw angle. At this critical 30 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

yaw angle the drag on the guttered rider doubles when the gap to the front group increases from 10 cm to 1 m (in real scale). These results can be of interest in defining road cycling race strategies and they allow some significant configurations to be identified and further investigated in more complex experiments.
Using seawater-based Na2CO3 medium for scrubbing the CO2 released from Bio-CNG plant for enhanced biomass production of Pseudanabaena limnetica
Authors: Rambhiya Sagar Jayant , Magar Chaitanya Sampat , Deodhar Manjushri Arun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe concentration of CO2, one of the most important greenhouse gases (GHG), has reached to 409.8 ± 0.1 ppm in 2019. Although there are many carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods, they are very costly and their long term use raises concern about environmental safety. Alternatively, bio-sequestration of CO2 using microalgal cell factories has emerged as a promising way of recycling CO2 into biomass via photosynthesis. In the present study, Indigenous algal strain Pseudanabaena limnetica was cultivated in pneumatically agitated 60-L flat-panel photobioreactor system. The gas was released from Bio-CNG plant as by-product into Na2CO3-rich medium and cultivated in semicontinuous mode of operation. It was observed that when CO2 was sparged in seawater-based 0.02 M Na2CO3 solution, maximum CO2 was dissolved in the system and was used for algal cultivation. Control system produced 0.64 ± 0.035 g/L of biomass at the end of 15 days, whereas CO2 sparged Na2CO3 medium produced 0.81 ± 0.046 g/L of biomass. When CO2 from Bio-CNG station was fed, it resulted in biomass production of 1.62 ± 0.070 g/L at the end of 18 days compared to 1.46 ± 0.066 g/L of biomass produced in control system which was not fed with gas released from Bio-CNG plant as by-product. Thus, feeding CO2 directly into Na2CO3 medium and operating the system semicontinuously would be efficient for scrubbing CO2 from commercial Bio-CNG plant. This study proves that feeding CO2 gas from Bio-CNG plant into Na2CO3-rich alkaline system can be used to feed algae for enhanced biomass production.