bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Particle Shape on the Deformation and Stress Reduction of a Gravel Soil Due to Wetting
Authors: Mahinroosta Reza , Oshtaghi Vahid 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, the effect of particle shape is investigated on the stress reduction and collapse deformation of gravelly soil using medium-scale direct shear test apparatus under different relative densities, normal stress, and shear stress levels. The Micro-Deval test was used to produce sub-angular particles from angular particles with continuous smoothening of the corners of the particles. Two series of soil specimens were obtained with the same rock type, particle size distribution, and relative density but different particle shapes. In addition to traditional direct shear tests on dry and wet specimens, a specific test procedure was applied to explore the stress reduction and collapse of soil specimens due to wetting. For instance, dry soil specimens under several normal pressure were subjected to shear loading while inundated at several levels of shear stresses. The results showed that the stress reduction and settlement due to wetting increased with vertical and shear stress level in both types of particle shapes, with higher values in angular particle shapes. The wetting of the samples had more impact on the particle breakage in angular gravel than sub-angular gravel, which increased linearly with the normal stress.
To Design a Human Pbpk Model to Evaluate Cadmium Exposure Through Shellfish Consumption in Taiwan
Authors: Ku Hao-Hsiang , Tien Pham Thi , Ling Min-Pei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study uses a physiology-based pharmacokinetic model to predict Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in urine and blood through shellfish consumers. The main purpose focus on assessment of human health risk to Cd through exposure via shellfish in Taiwan. A Hill-based dose-response model is utilized to estimate renal dysfunction and peripheral arterial disease risks in humans after long-term exposure. Sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulations are implemented to support the risk assessment of cadmium in humans. Results indicate that glomerular and tubular damage (GTD) is different between group ages and genders ranged from 17.8067% - 17.8072%, respectively. Results show that the peripheral arterial disease prevalence (PADP) ranges from 3.2505% - 4.5968% in male and ranges from 4.7168% - 7.0152% in female, respectively. The study concludes that Cd dietary consumption is very low, for males and for females in the different age groups. This study provides a foundation that can resolve the risk dose-dependency of Cd hazard.
Investigation of Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized By Sol-Gel Technique
Authors: Gedam R. S. , Sukhadeve G. K. , Janbandhu S.Y. , Upadhyay S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Anatase phase TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method using titanium(IV) butoxide as a starting material. The pH of solution was maintained by adding HNO3 and NaOH. The obtained powder was heat treated at 350̊ C for 2 hours. The XRD study shows that the crystalline size and crystalinity of samples increases with pH of solution. Raman spectra confirm the dominance of anatase phase of TiO2. Morphology study of samples was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The size of prepared samples was calculated by XRD and confirmed by TEM analysis. The energy band gap was calculated by optical absorption spectra and it was found to decrease by increasing pH of the solution. The photodegration activity of IC dye under visible light irradiation was carried out by synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles.
Exploration of Optimal Reconstruction Parameters for 18F-FDG Total-body PET/CT with Ultra-low Activity Injection
Authors: Sui Xiuli , Tan Hui , Yu Haojun , Zhang Yiqiu , Hu Pengcheng , Xiao Jie , Qi Chi , Cheng Yuan , Shi Dai , Shi Hongcheng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE To explorer the optimal reconstruction parameters in oncologic 18 F-FDG total-body PET/CT studies with ultra-low activity injection. METHODS A total of 204 reconstructed PET images of 34 patients with a total of 58 lesions were analyzed by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians. Images were reconstructed with ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm (2 and 3 iterations) including time-of-flight (TOF) and point spread function (PSF) corrections and regularization ordered subset expectation maximization (ROSEM) (b-values of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6). General image quality was assessed using the five-point method including overall image quality, image clarity, noise, and lesion conspicuity. Image noise, signal-to-noise ratio, lesion size, SUVmax, SUVpeak and T/N were quantitatively analyzed by the third reader who did not participate in subjective image assessment. RESULTS In objective image quality indicators, noise decreased and a continuous increase of SNR with incremental β-values (0.3,0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) compared with OSEM3. In subjective image quality, OSEM2, ROSEM0.5 and ROSEM0.6 scored higher (all P<0.001) in overall image quality, image contrast and noise. The scores of ROSEM reconstructions were all higher in lesion conspicuity compared with OSEM3 (all P<0.001). In lesion detectability, SUVmax, SUVpeak and T/N increase with β value of ROSEM increase. Compared with OSEM3, there was a negative correlation between lesion size and the percentage increase of SUVpeak in OSEM2 and ROSEM reconstructions (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION In clinical practice, we recommended OSEM reconstruction with 3 iterations with a relatively short reconstruction time and we recommend ROSEM algorithm with b of 0.5 when reconstruction time is not considered.
Modeling and Designing of a Compact Single Band PIFA Antenna for Wireless Application using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Sellak Lahcen , Aguni Lahcen , Chabaa Samira , Ibnyaich Saida , Zeroual Abdelouhab , Baddou Atmane 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we are interested to design a compact single band PIFA antenna using the artificial neural networks (ANN) based on the multilayer perceptrons (MLP). The designed antenna will operate at the frequency 2.45 GHz for ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band, the medical field, the mobile phone,the Wi-Fi and the Bluetooth. The absence of mathematical models that takes into account all the parameters that affect the characteristics of these antennas present a difficulty in the design of this type of antennas. In this paper, our main contribution is the development of a synthesis and analysis model for PIFA antenna based on the artificial neural network method. For this reasons, we have developed a model of the neural network based on the multilayer perceptron to predict the resonance frequency and the bandwidth of a single band PIFA antenna. By applying the same method, we managed to find a multilayer perceptron structure that can accurately predict the dimensions of the PIFA single band antenna. Using the HFSS software, we designed the single band PIFA antenna that can operate at the frequency 2.45 GHz and presents a bandwidth at -10dB equal 1.0552 GHz, a good reflection coefficient ( −51 dB), the gain is 6.5867 dB.
Development of Organic Briquettes From Slaughterhouse Waste as Nutrient Source for Plant Growth
Authors: J ARUN SANKAR K , Vasudevan V N , Sunil B , Latha A , A Irshad , K Deepak Mathew D. , Saifudeen Safeer M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A study was conducted to develop organic briquettes using biomass originating from slaughterhouse wastes and to investigate its potential as a nutrient source for plant growth. Dried rumen contents were mixed with fresh blood collected after bleeding of animals in different proportions and dried using tray drier. The dried rumen content-blood (RB) mixture was further mixed with commercially available coir pith in 12 different proportions. The rumen content-blood-coir pith (RBC) mixture was formed into briquettes using a hydraulic biomass briquetting machine. Each organic briquette was five cm in diameter and had an average weight of 30-40 grams. The treatments were analyzed for pH, moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen, carbon: nitrogen ratio, total phosphorus and total potassium. Organic briquette having rumen content with 100 per cent blood and 80 per cent coir pith (T 10 ) recorded the highest total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium content. The treatments for plant growth studies were selected based on the criteria that each treatment had highest values for at least two of the three primary nutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The treatments T 5 , T 7 , T 8 , T 10 and T 12 were selected for plant growth studies. Pot experiment using selected briquettes was carried out to determine the effect of selected briquettes on growth parameters and yield attributes of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ). Nutrient release pattern of the selected organic briquettes was also studied. The best desirable growth parameters and yield attributes of okra was observed in T 10 . Availability of nutrients in the medium were relatively less during first two months of planting (MAP), however, it significantly increased between 3 MAP and 4 MAP, which resulted in better plant growth and fruit yield. The study showed that there is great potential for development of organic briquettes using slaughter house wastes as an eco-friendly process, which are compact, easy to transport and market, and ideal for grow bag cultivation and garden nurseries
CYP2C19*2 genetic polymorphism and incidence of in-stent restenosis in patients on clopidogrel: A matched case-control study
Authors: Osama Sara , Wirth Francesca , Zahra Graziella , Barbara Christopher , Xuereb Robert G , Camilleri Liberato , Azzopardi Lilian M 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The cytochrome P450 2C19 *2 ( CYP2C19*2 ) genetic polymorphism is associated with reduced clopidogrel bioactivation, increasing the risk of atherothrombotic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a complication that limits the long-term prognosis of PCI. Objective: To investigate the association between CYP2C19*2 and ISR within one-year after PCI in patients prescribed dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel Setting: Acute general hospital, Malta Main outcome measure: Association between CYP2C19*2 and drug-eluting stent (DES)-ISR within one-year post-PCI in patients on DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel Method: Sixty patients with angiographically-confirmed DES-ISR within one year when on DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel were retrospectively identified (cases) and 60 patients with no documented ISR post-PCI in the study period (controls) were case-matched for age, gender, diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate value. Cases and controls were invited by cardiologists for CYP2C19*2 genotyping. The association between CYP2C19*2 and ISR was analysed using the Fisher’s Exact test and binary logistic regression. Results: Twenty-six (43.3%) cases and 5 (8.3%) controls were carriers of CYP2C19*2 , while 34 (56.7%) cases and 55 (91.7%) controls were non-carriers of CYP2C19*2 . The association between CYP2C19*2 carrier status and DES-ISR within one-year post-PCI was statistically significant (p<0.001) in both the univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion : The proportion of CYP2C19*2 carriers who presented with DES-ISR within one-year post-PCI while on clopidogrel was significantly higher compared to patients with no documented ISR.
Effect of α-Tocopheryloxy Acetic Acid, a Vitamin E Derivative Mitocan, on the Experimental Infection of Mice with Plasmodium Yoelii
Authors: Kawamura Kasumi , Kume Aiko , Umemiya-Shirafuji Rika , Kasai Shunji , Suzuki Hiroshi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Malaria parasites are known to be vulnerable to oxidative stress. In this study, we examined the effects of α-tocopheryloxy acetic acid (α-TEA), which is a vitamin E analogue mitocan, administration on Plasmodium yoelii infection in mice. Methods: Alpha-TEA was mixed with diet and fed to C57BL/6J mice before and/or after infection. For parasite infection, 4 × 104 P. yoelii 17XL-infected red blood cells were inoculated by intraperitoneal injection. In another series of experiment, the effect of the oral administration of α-TEA on P. yoelii 17XL infection in mice was examined. Finally, the combined effect of α-TEA and dihydroartemisinin or chloroquine on P. yoelii 17XL infection was examined.Results: When 0.25% α-TEA was mixed with the diet for 7 days before infection and 14 days after infection (in total for 21 days), for 14 days after infection, and for 11 days from the third day after infection, all P. yoelii 17XL-infected mice survived during the observation period. However, all control mice died within 12 days after infection. These results indicated that α-TEA functions effectively even when administered post-infection. The oral administration of α-TEA for P. yoelii 17XL infection was also significant. Although the infected mice in the solvent control died within 10 days after infection, 90% of the mice infected with P. yoelii 17XL survived during the observation period when treated with 10 mg/head/day of α-TEA for 3 days from day 3 after infection. Although the combined effect of α-TEA and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) or chloroquine on P. yoelii 17XL infection was significant, no synergistic or additive effects were observed from the survival curve. Conclusions: This study showed the beneficial effects of α-TEA on the experimental infection of mice with P. yoelii 17XL. The stimulatory action of α-TEA on mitochondria and the accompanying reactions, such as reactive oxygen species production, and induction of apoptosis might have some effect on malarial infection.
Divergence and Curl of COVID19 Spreading in Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Authors: Wang Yanshuo 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Divergence and Curl concept in vector field is applied to the COVID19 spreading data for Lower Peninsula of Michigan State, U.S.A. The Divergence is an operator of COVID19 transmission vector field, which produces a scalar field giving the quantity of transmission vector field’s source at each location. The COVID19 spreading volume density of the outward flux of transmission field is represented by divergence around a given location. The Curl is an operator of COVID19 transmission field, which describes the circulation of a transmission vector field. The Curl at a location in COVID19 transmission field is represented by a vector whose length and direction denote the magnitude and axis of the maximum circulation. The curl of a transmission field is formally defined as the circulation density at each location of COVID19 transmission field. From data analysis of divergence of curl of Lower Michigan Peninsula, the COVID19 transmission volume flux and circulation can be identified for each County. Summary: This paper is to use vector Divergence and Curl concept to apply to COVID19 confirmed cases in Lower Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A.
Assessment of discharge and sediment flows in a river through a combined hydraulic and hydrologic routing techniques
Authors: Bulti Abebe Tadesse 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
An advancement of flood routing methods is important for the design and management of the water resources systems. Hydraulic and hydrologic routing approach are widely applied in most simulation models, separately. The combined hydrologic and hydraulic routing method where recent approach to improve the modeling effort in hydrological studies. The main drawback of hydrologic routing methods was inaccuracy on downstream areas of the river basin, where the effect of hydraulic structures and the river dynamics processes are dominant. The hydraulic routing approaches are relatively good on a downstream reaches of a river. This research was done on the Awash River basin at the upstream areas of a Koka dam. A combined hydrologic and hydraulic approach was used to assess the discharge and sediment flow in the river basin. The hydrologic routing method was applied at an upstream part of a river basin through a SWAT model. HEC-RAS model was applied at the middle and downstream areas of the basin based on hydraulic routing principle. The combined routing method can improve the result from the simulation and increases the accuracy in the prediction of the peak flow. It can simulate all the discharges for both short and long-term duration with good model performance indicators. Besides, sediment modeling was done by comparing the regression model, SWAT model, and combination of HEC-RAS and SWAT model. The result from the sediment modeling indicates that the regression model and the combined models show good agreement in predicting the suspended sediment in the Awash River basin.
Quantitative Influence and Performance Analysis of VR Laparoscopic Surgical Training System
Authors: Yu Peng , Pan Junjun , Wang Zhaoxue , Shen Yang , Li Jialun , Hao Aimin , Wang Haipeng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background VR surgery training becomes a trend in clinical education. Many research papers validate the effectiveness of VR based surgical simulators in training surgeons. However, most existing papers employ subjective methods to study the residents’ surgical skills improvement. Few of them investigates how to substantially improve the surgery skills on speciﬁc dimensions.Methods In this paper, we resort to physiological approaches to objectively research quantitative inﬂuence and performance analysis of VR laparoscopic surgical training system for medical students. 41 participants were recruited from a pool of medical students. They conducted four pre and post experiments in the training box. In the middle of pre and post experiments, they were trained on VR laparoscopic surgery simulators (VRLS). When conducting pre and post experiments, their operation process and physiological data (heart rate and electroencephalogram) are recorded. Their performance is graded by senior surgeons using newly designed hybrid standards for fundamental tasks and GOALS standards for colon resection tasks. Finally, the participants were required to ﬁll the questionnaires about their cognitive load and ﬂow experience.Results The results show that the VRLS could highly improve medical students' performance (p < 0.01) especially in depth perception and enable the participants to obtain flow experience with a lower cognitive load.Conclusion The performance of participants is negatively correlated with cognitive load through quantitatively physiological analysis. This might provide a new way of assessing skill acquirement.
A Student-Led Telephone-Based Clinical Learning Program for Outreach to Older Adults
Authors: Gulati Arushi , Lalchandani Pooja , Auchus Isabella , Grandi Janice , Clelland Elle , Chen Pei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Early clinical experiences expose students to patient-centered care. However, early incorporation of telehealth communication skills remains limited in health professions education. In this study, we aimed to design and evaluate a telephone-based clinical learning program for students to promote the development of patient-centered communication skills while addressing healthcare disparities experienced by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We utilized workplace learning principles in designing a telephone-based clinical learning pilot program for health professions students at an academic geriatrics primary care clinic. Students conducted three types of telephone calls to patients that 1) assessed for unmet needs (e.g. food, medication, medical supplies, caregiving, social support, and/or access to medical care) (screening call), 2) addressed social isolation (social call), and 3) helped patients set up videoconferencing software to prepare for telehealth appointments (telehealth-training call). We tracked telephone call completion and outcomes via weekly student reports and the electronic health record. To evaluate program efficacy and learning outcomes, students completed an anonymous post-program survey that assessed pre- and post-program knowledge and skills acquisition. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.Results: Five medical student liaisons led 23 medical and nurse practitioner students in calling 335 patients over 13 weeks. Students successfully reached 247 patients (74%), assisted 25 patients in setting up videoconferencing software, and engaged 30 patients in weekly social calls. Of 21 students who completed the post-program survey, 18 (86%) believed this program provided meaningful clinical exposure. After participation, all students felt comfortable interacting with patients by telephone and 20 (95%) felt confident in relationship-centered communication. Students reported increased knowledge about vulnerabilities in the geriatric population (p = 0.002).Conclusion: This telephone-based program allowed health professions students to support a vulnerable population and gain patient-centered communication skills. This program could be adapted for implementation in multiple contexts as an effective telehealth clinical learning experience, especially for pre-clerkship health professions students who could gain early exposure to telehealth and practice communication and health coaching skills with patients.
The need for nutritional assessment and interventions based on the prognostic nutritional index for patients with femoral fractures: a retrospective study
Authors: He Miao , Fan Qinghong , Zhu Yuhang , Liu Dexing , Liu Xingxing , Xu Shan , Peng Jiachen , Zhu Zhaoqiong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The incidence of adverse perioperative outcomes in surgery for femoral fractures is quite high and is associated with malnutrition. This study aimed to identify independent factors and assess the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) for perioperative adverse outcomes in patients with femoral fractures.
Methods
This retrospective study included 343 patients who underwent surgery for a single femur fracture. Demographic characteristics, surgery and anaesthesia records, and blood test results at admission, 1 day postoperatively, and before discharge were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The discriminatory ability of the independent factors was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and DeLong's test was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC).
Results
Overall, 159 patients (46.4%) experienced adverse perioperative outcomes. Among these, 123 (35.9%) had lower limb vein thrombus, 68 (19.8%) had hospital-acquired pneumonia, 6 (1.7%) were transferred to the postoperative intensive care unit, 4 (1.2%) had pulmonary embolism, 3 (0.9%) died during hospitalisation, and 9 (2.6%) had other adverse outcomes, including incision disunion, renal and liver function impairment, acute heart failure, acute cerebral infarction, and stress gastroenteritis. The PNI at admission, age, postoperative hospital stay, time to admission, hypertension, combined injures, and surgery type were independent factors for adverse perioperative outcomes. Based on the AUC (PNI at admission: 0.772 (0.723–0.821), P < 0.001; age: 0.678 (0.622–0.734), P < 0.001; postoperative hospital stay: 0.608 (0.548–0.668), P = 0.001; time to admission: 0.585 (0.525–0.646), P = 0.006), the PNI at admission had optimal discrimination ability, indicating its superiority over other independent factors (age vs. PNI at admission, P = 0.002; postoperative hospital stay vs. PNI at admission, P < 0.001; time to admission vs. PNI at admission, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Nutritional assessment and appropriate intervention strategies on admission are necessary for patients with femoral fractures, and the PNI at admission may be a good nutritional assessment indicator.