bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and multicenter validation of FIB‐6: A novel, machine learning, simple bedside score to rule out liver cirrhosis and compensated advanced chronic liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Shiha Gamal , Soliman Reham , Mikhail Nabiel N. H. , Alswat Khalid , Abdo Ayman , Sanai Faisal , Derbala Moutaz F. , Örmeci Necati , Dalekos George N. , Al‐Busafi Said , Hamoudi Waseem , Sharara Ala I. , Zaky Samy , El‐Raey Fathiya , Mabrouk Mai , Marzouk Samir , Toyoda Hidenori 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundNon‐invasive tests (NITs), such as Fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) and the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI), developed using classical statistical methods, are increasingly used for determining liver fibrosis stages and recommended in treatment guidelines replacing the liver biopsy. Application of conventional cutoffs of FIB‐4 and APRI resulted in high rates of misclassification of fibrosis stages.AimThere is an unmet need for more accurate NITs that can overcome the limitations of FIB‐4 and APRI.Patients and methodsMachine learning with the random forest algorithm was used to develop a non‐invasive index using retrospective data of 7238 patients with biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis C from two centers in Egypt; derivation dataset (n = 1821) and validation set in the second center (n = 5417). Receiver operator curve analysis was used to define cutoffs for different stages of fibrosis. Performance of the new score was externally validated in cohorts from two other sites in Egypt (n = 560) and seven different countries (n = 1317). Fibrosis stages were determined using the METAVIR score. Results were also compared with three established tools (FIB‐4, APRI, and the aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐alanine aminotransferase ratio [AAR]).ResultsAge in addition to readily available laboratory parameters such as aspartate, and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, albumin (g/dl), and platelet count (/cm3) correlated with the biopsy‐derived stage of liver fibrosis in the derivation cohort and were used to construct the model for predicting the fibrosis stage by applying the random forest algorithm, resulting in an FIB‐6 index, which can be calculated easily at http://fib6.elriah.info. Application of the cutoff values derived from the derivation group on the validation groups yielded very good performance in ruling out cirrhosis (negative predictive value [NPV] = 97.7%), compensated advance liver disease (NPV = 90.2%), and significant fibrosis (NPV = 65.7%). In the external validation groups from different countries, FIB‐6 demonstrated higher sensitivity and NPV than FIB‐4, APRI, and AAR.ConclusionFIB‐6 score is a non‐invasive, simple, and accurate test for ruling out liver cirrhosis and compensated advance liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C and performs better than APRI, FIB‐4, and AAR.
Friction dynamics of moisturized human skin under non‐linear motion
Authors: Sakata Yuka , Mayama Hiroyuki , Nonomura Yoshimune 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveEvaluating friction in human skin is important to assess its condition and the effects of skincare cosmetics. In this study, we evaluated the friction dynamics of moisturized skin to show the effects of moisturization on its mechanical properties.MethodsFriction force was evaluated using a sinusoidal motion friction evaluation system. The skin of the upper arm of 20 subjects was rubbed using a contact probe. The water content of the stratum corneum and the softness of the skin were measured using a Corneometer and a Cutometer, respectively.ResultsWhen human skin was treated with water or 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution, the friction coefficients increased by 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.17 ± 0.14, respectively, and the delay times (normalized by calculating the time interval from contact with the probe to the friction response divided by the friction time for one round trip) increased by 0.048 ± 0.034 and 0.055 ± 0.024, respectively. Three different friction profiles were observed: (a) a stable pattern, in which a smooth profile was observed during the sliding process; (b) an oscillation pattern, in which significant oscillation was obtained; and (c) a stick pattern, in which the friction coefficient increased even during the deceleration process. In the case of untreated skin, the oscillation pattern was observed for the majority of subjects. The appearance rate of the stick pattern increased by 80.3% ± 29.4% after treatment with 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution. These characteristic friction profiles can be explained by a two‐step friction model consisting of two modes: (a) friction at the skin surface and (b) the delayed response due to skin deformation.ConclusionMoisturizing the skin with water or 10 wt% glycerol aqueous solution increased the friction coefficient and delay time, dramatically changing the friction profile. These changes were considered to be due to the swelling and softening of the stratum corneum and the increased true contact area between the contact probe and the skin surface.
Quantitative assessment of contrast‐enhancement patterns of the healthy dental pulp by magnetic resonance imaging: A prospective in vivo study
Authors: Juerchott Alexander , Jelinek Constanze , Kronsteiner Dorothea , Jende Johann M. E. , Kurz Felix T. , Bendszus Martin , Heiland Sabine , Hilgenfeld Tim 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimThis prospective in vivo study aimed to optimize the assessment of pulpal contrast‐enhancement (PCE) on dental magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and investigate physiological PCE patterns.MethodologyIn 70 study participants, 1585 healthy teeth were examined using 3‐Tesla dMRI before and after contrast agent administration. For all teeth, the quotient of post‐ and pre‐contrast pulp signal intensity (Q‐PSI) was calculated to quantify PCE. First, pulp chambers were analysed in 10 participants to compare the coefficient of variation of mean versus maximum Q‐PSI values (Q‐PSImean versus Q‐PSImax). Second, dynamic PCE was evaluated in 10 subjects to optimize the time interval between contrast agent application and image acquisition. Finally, 50 participants (age groups: 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60–69 years) were examined to analyse age, gender, tooth types and maxilla versus mandible as independent factors of PCE. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and linear mixed models.ResultsPCE assessment based on Q‐PSImax was associated with a significantly smaller coefficient of variation compared with Q‐PSImean, with median values of 0.17 versus 0.21 (p = .002). Analysis of dynamic PCE revealed an optimal timing interval for image acquisition 4 min after contrast media application. No significant differences in PCE were observed by comparing age groups, female versus male participants and maxillary versus mandibular teeth (p > .05). Differences between tooth types were small (median Q‐PSImax values of 2.52/2.32/2.30/2.20 for molars/premolars/canines/incisors) but significant (p < .05), except for the comparison of canines versus premolars (p = .80).ConclusionsPCE in dMRI was a stable intra‐individual marker with only minor differences between different tooth types, thus forming an important basis for intra‐individual controls when assessing teeth with suspected endodontic pathosis. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that PCE is independent of age, gender and jaw type. These findings indicate that dMRI‐based PCE analysis could be a valuable diagnostic tool for the identification of various pulp diseases in future patient studies.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of α‐SiC ceramics after high‐temperature laser shock peening
Authors: Wang Fei , Chen Xin , DeLellis Daniel P. , Krause Amanda R. , Lu Yongfeng , Cui Bai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA novel high‐temperature laser shock peening (HT‐LSP) process was applied to polycrystalline α‐SiC to improve the mechanical performance. HT‐LSP prevents microcrack formation on the surface while induces plastic deformation in the form of dislocation slip on the basal planes, which may be caused by the combination of high shock pressure and a lower critical resolved shear stress at 1000℃. A maximum compressive residual stress of 650 MPa, measured with Raman spectroscopy, was introduced into the surface of α‐SiC by HT‐LSP, which can increase the nanohardness and in‐plane fracture toughness of α‐SiC by 8% and 36%, respectively. This work presents a fundamental base for the promising applications of HT‐LSP to brittle ceramics to increase their plasticity and mechanical properties.
Preparations of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) and cerium hexaboride (CeB6)
Authors: Wang Yu , Chou Kuo‐Chih , Zhang Guo‐Hua 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDue to strong anti‐poisoning ability, good emission stability, high emission current density, lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) and cerium hexaboride (CeB6) have been maturely applied in electron emission emitter. In this paper, a new manufacturing method for LaB6 (or CeB6) powder was proposed by using La2O3 (or CeO2), B4C, and Al as raw materials. After high‐temperature reaction in the range of 1673–1773 K and the following alkaline leaching at 90°C, LaB6 or CeB6 powder with particle size of about 10 μm was obtained. Furthermore, by Al metal flux method, the obtained powder was used to manufacture single crystal block with size of several millimeters.
Microbiological safety of spinach throughout commercial supply chains in Gauteng Province, South Africa and characterization of isolated multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Richter Loandi , du Plessis Erika M. , Duvenage Stacey , Korsten Lise 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Aim
To investigate the microbiological quality, potential foodborne pathogen presence, and to phenotypically (antimicrobial resistance [AMR] profiles) and genotypically (DNA fingerprints and diarrhoeagenic genes) characterize Escherichia coli isolated throughout spinach production systems from farm-to-sale.

Methods and Results
Samples (n = 288) were collected from two commercial supply chains using either river or borehole irrigation water. E. coli was enumerated throughout the chain where river water was directly used for overhead irrigation at levels between 0.00 and 3.22 log colony forming unit (CFU) g−1. Following enrichment, isolation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry identification, E. coli was isolated from 22.57% (n = 65/288) of all samples. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 3% (n = 9/288) of river and irrigation water samples on one farm, and no Listeria monocytogenes was detected throughout the study. Of the 80 characterized E. coli isolates, one harboured the stx2 virulence gene, while 43.75% (n = 35) were multidrug resistant. Overall, 26.30% of the multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates were from production scenario one that used river irrigation water, and 17.50% from the second production scenario that used borehole irrigation water. A greater percentage of resistance phenotypes were from water E. coli isolates (52.50%), than isolates from spinach (37.50%). E. coli isolates from spinach and irrigation water clustered together at high similarity values (&gt;90%) using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chan reaction analysis.

Conclusions
This study reported the presence of multidrug-resistant environmental E. coli throughout spinach production from farm, during processing and up to retail. Furthermore, the similarity of multi-drug resistant E. coli isolates suggests transfer from irrigation water to spinach in both scenarios, reiterating that irrigation water for vegetables consumed raw, should comply with standardized microbiological safety guidelines.

Significance and Impact of Study
Multidrug-resistant E. coli presence throughout spinach production emphasizes the necessity of increased surveillance of AMR in fresh produce and the production environment within a One Health paradigm to develop AMR mitigation strategies.
Editorial Perspective: The mental health impact of school closures during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Almeida Marcela , Challa Mamatha , Ribeiro Monique , Harrison Alexandra M , Castro Marcia C 
Published: November 2021

School closures were one of the earlier actions taken as the world tried to contain the COVID‐19 outbreak, a decision impacting nearly three‐fourths of the learners worldwide. One year into the pandemic, over 200 million students still faced disruptions to their education. Nearing the end of another academic year that has occurred entirely during the pandemic, many schools remained fully or partially closed for in‐person education, altering routines and representing potential hardships to the next generation and their families.This article will explore the potential impacts of school closures on children and adolescents related to increased screen time, irregular sleep patterns, less balanced diets, learning difficulties, and changes in social interaction. In addition, we note broader familial difficulties likely accompanying the loss of the mitigating effects of schools and their associated support systems, such as parental stress and work responsibilities, loss of employment, intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, and parental substance abuse, which appear to have increased during the pandemic.Considering what is known about the impact from previous natural catastrophes, the populations at risk, and the early but not yet definitive data from the current pandemic, we stress the urgent need for robust data as we prepare for a new academic year in the Northern Hemisphere. Although we currently lack consistent and complete data, signs for concern include a rise in pediatric emergency room visits for mental health and substance use issues in many parts of the world. This paper aims to stimulate a discussion about the potential mental health effects of school closures for children and adolescents in the context of a pandemic.
Too dry or too wet soils have a negative impact on larval pupation of fall armyworm
Authors: Tian Tianqi , Ren Qilin , Fan Jingyu , Haseeb Muhammad , Zhang Runzhi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSoil moisture has an important effect on lepidopteran species, considering larval pupation in soil. The major pest of maize, fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an invasive pest rapidly spreading across the world and has recently invaded China. Similar to other lepidopteran species, the FAW pupation commonly occurs in soils to protect itself against adverse external environments. To study effects of soil moisture on FAW pupation, five soil moisture levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) were selected. The treatment of 100% soil moisture was excluded since FAW larvae cannot burrow and pupate in such saturated soils. We found that 1) FAW larvae spent more time building pupal chambers at 0% and 75% soil moisture contents than those at 25% and 50%, and chambers at 0% and 75% soil moisture contents had shallower depth; 2). Pupal development times at 0% and 75% soil moisture contents were longer, and 3). FAW larvae at 0% and 75% soil moisture levels had lower percentages of burrowing and pupation. Our study indicates that too dry (0%) or too wet (75%) soils have significantly negative impacts on the larval pupation of FAW. The analysis of FAW responses to soil moisture provides a valuable supplement to pupation ecology about responses of lepidopteran insects to soil moisture. In practice, understanding soil moisture in the cultivation of maize contributes to practical applications of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in controlling FAW.
Impact of pay disparities between chief executive officers and chief financial officers on corporate financial and investment policies
Authors: Han Feng , Che Xin , He Enya 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe study whether and how pay disparities between chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) affect corporate policies. Consistent with the tournament theory, we find a positive association between the CEO–CFO pay disparity and aggressiveness in corporate financial and investment policies. Specifically, a firm with a large CEO–CFO pay disparity tends to have an aggressive capital structure and tilt toward high‐risk investments. Furthermore, we test the impact of the CEO–CFO pay disparity on firm value and show that the pay disparity is positively associated with firm value. Overall, we conclude that CEO–CFO pay disparities provide CFOs with tournament incentives to not only adopt aggressive corporate policies but also select better investment projects. Our research highlights the career‐enhancing and value‐creating effects of CEO–CFO pay disparities as well as the important role of CFOs’ incentives on the treasurer side of their duties.
MRI‐based thalamic volumetry in multiple sclerosis using FSL‐FIRST: Systematic assessment of common error modes
Authors: Lyman Cassondra , Lee Dongchan , Ferrari Hannah , Fuchs Tom A. , Bergsland Niels , Jakimovski Dejan , Weinstock‐Guttmann Bianca , Zivadinov Robert , Dwyer Michael G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposeFSL's FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool (FSL‐FIRST) is a widely used and well‐validated tool. Automated thalamic segmentation is a common application and an important longitudinal measure for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, FSL‐FIRST's algorithm is based on shape models derived from non‐MS groups. As such, the present study sought to systematically assess common thalamic segmentation errors made by FSL‐FIRST on MRIs from people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).MethodsFSL‐FIRST was applied to generate thalamic segmentation masks for 890 MR images in PwMS. Images and masks were reviewed systematically to classify and quantify errors, as well as associated anatomical variations and MRI abnormalities. For cases with overt errors (n = 362), thalamic masks were corrected and quantitative volumetric differences were calculated.ResultsIn the entire quantitative volumetric group, the mean volumetric error of FSL‐FIRST was 2.74% (0.360 ml): among only corrected cases, the mean volumetric error was 6.79% (0.894 ml). The average percent volumetric error associated with seven error types, two anatomical variants, and motions artifacts are reported. Additional analyses showed that the presence of motion artifacts or anatomical variations significantly increased the probability of error (χ2 = 18.14, p < .01 and χ2 = 64.89, p < .001, respectively). Finally, thalamus volume error was negatively associated with degree of atrophy, such that smaller thalami were systematically overestimated (r = –.28, p < .001).ConclusionsIn PwMS, FSL‐FIRST thalamic segmentation miscalculates thalamic volumetry in a predictable fashion, and may be biased to overestimate highly atrophic thalami. As such, it is recommended that segmentations be reviewed and corrected manually when appropriate for specific studies.
The oral histopathological and immunological characteristics of a xenogeneic mouse chronic graft‐versus‐host disease model
Authors: Jiang Qiaozhi , Yong Xiangzhi , Liu Zhenmin , Zhou Yuxi , Mei Guocheng , Chen Qianming , Wu Tiantian , Tao Renchuan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundOral lesions are important clinical manifestations of chronic graft‐verse‐host disease (cGVHD). However, the oral characteristics of cGVHD mouse model are not yet clear. This study aims to demonstrate oral histopathological and immunological characteristics of a xenogeneic cGVHD mouse model.Materials and methods2.5 × 106, 5.0 × 106, 7.5 × 106, and 10.0 × 106 human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) were intravenously transplanted into NCG mice to induce cGVHD. After transplantation, clinical observations were recorded. Tissue samples from salivary glands and oral mucosa were stained with H&E, Masson Trichrome, and immunofluorescence, and the histopathology of oral tissues was scored according to our modified criteria.ResultsNCG mice showed signs of cGVHD onset after transplantation. The oral histopathological lesion incidences in each group were 37.50%, 50.00%, 62.50%, and 75.00%, respectively. Oral histopathological lesion incidence and histopathological scores were positively correlated with the amount of infused hPBMCs. Epithelial atrophy, epithelial cells vacuolar degeneration, and basal cells liquefaction denaturation were observed in oral mucosa, and acinar destruction and collagen deposition were observed in the salivary glands. Human CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, IL‐17+, and FoxP3+ cells infiltrated into oral tissues. In the 5.0 × 106 hPBMCs group, oral histopathological changes mainly began between days 30 and 45 post‐transplantation, and became more severe after day 45. The oral histopathological scores also gradually increased.ConclusionInflammation in oral mucosa epithelium and salivary glands, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells dominating infiltration are the main oral features in the xenogeneic cGVHD mouse model. The severity of oral histopathological lesions shows a dose and time correlation. These may be helpful to oral cGVHD research.
Leveraging community engagement to increase the health literacy of youth in rural Pennsylvania: The ACHIEVE program
Authors: Hearn Madison , Fowler Maria , Worley Sarah C. , Moss Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPurposeLimited health literacy is prevalent within rural populations and associated with poor health outcomes. This study examined a school‐based, community‐engaged program called ACHIEVE (Advancing Community Health Innovation through Education, Vision, and Empowerment) for preliminary efficacy in improving knowledge and self‐efficacy related to health literacy among youth in rural Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.MethodsACHIEVE was designed using an iterative process that utilized validated sources, educational standards, and community engagement. Five novel health literacy modules were piloted by the program in Huntingdon Area High School and delivered to ∼269 students during the 2019‐2020 and 2020‐2021 school years. To determine the impact of the program, we assessed participants’ change in health knowledge and self‐efficacy using pre‐ and post‐tests for each module. Responses were collected via anonymous surveys and analyzed using unequal variance t‐tests and chi‐square tests.FindingsThe overall mean difference between pre‐ and post‐tests ranged from 0.07 to 0.67, with a significant increase in participants’ assessment scores following 4 out of the 5 program modules (P < .05). Across the 5 modules, both knowledge and self‐efficacy domains displayed a significant improvement from pre‐ to post‐test (P < .001).ConclusionOur findings suggest that community partnerships in rural communities can be used to create effective community health interventions, such as our health literacy program, which significantly increased high school students’ knowledge and self‐efficacy.
Defiance of democracy in Oaxaca
Authors: López Vences Rita B. , López Reyes José R. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article describes the quality of democracy in Oaxaca, Mexico, its evolution in recent years, and how it compares with the national index. It then analyzes political competitiveness in recent local elections, based on election results and several factors that influence them, including violence and social movements. Finally, it analyzes how the coexistence of two electoral systems—political parties and indigenous normative systems—affects the quality of democracy in Oaxaca and what changes may come about in the political forces or the consolidation of current power.