bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and adhesion characteristics of duplex coatings with different plasma‐nitrided layers and a Cr‐Al‐Ti‐B‐N physical vapor deposition coating
Authors: Dalke Anke , Weinhold Tom , Schramm Alexander , Wüstefeld Christina , Ratayski Ulrike , Sochora Vjaceslav , Biermann Horst , Rafaja David 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA duplex treatment consisting of plasma nitriding (PN) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) significantly improves the thermal, tribological, and corrosion resistance of forming tools, and especially if they are intended for applications subject to high mechanical loads. This study investigates the influence of nitriding on the properties of a conventionally heat‐treated AISI D2 tool steel, coated with a Cr‐Al‐Ti‐B‐N layer, while the effect of the presence or absence of a compound layer is discussed. PN is performed at 510–520°C using different N2‐H2 gas mixtures. The Cr‐Al‐Ti‐B‐N layers are deposited at 480°C using a combination of cathodic arc evaporation and magnetron sputtering. The samples are characterized using electron probe microanalysis with wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, optical and scanning electron microscopy, glancing‐angle X‐ray diffraction, surface hardness measurements, profilometry, Rockwell indentation, and scratch tests. These techniques reveal relationships between the depth gradient of the chemical composition and microstructure of the nitrided interlayer, the adhesion of the PVD coating, and the hardness of the tool steel. Although the PVD process induces a structural transformation in the compound layer, this transition does not have a negative influence on the adhesion of the PVD coating.
The initial impact of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on epilepsy research
Authors: Volkers Nancy , Wiebe Samuel , Asadi‐Pooya Ali Akbar , Balagura Ganna , Gómez‐Iglesias Patricia , Guekht Alla , Hall Julie , Ikeda Akio , Jetté Nathalie , Kishk Nirmeen A. , Murphy Peter , Perucca Emilio , Pérez‐Poveda Juan Carlos , Sanya Emmanuel O. , Trinka Eugen , Zhou Dong , Cross J. Helen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has changed the face of many practices throughout the world. Through necessity to minimize spread and provide clinical care to those with severe disease, focus has been on limiting face‐to‐face contact. Research in many areas has been put on hold. We sought to determine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on epilepsy research from international basic science and clinical researchers. Responses to five questions were solicited through a convenience sample by direct email and through postings on the ILAE social media accounts and an ILAE online platform (utilizing Slack). Information was collected from 15 respondents in 11 countries by email or via Zoom interviews between May 19, 2020, and June 4, 2020. Several themes emerged including a move to virtual working, project delays with laboratory work halted and clinical work reduced, funding concerns, a worry about false data with regard to COVID research and concern about research time lost. However, a number of positive outcomes were highlighted, not least the efficiency of online working and other adaptations that could be sustained in the future.
Mendelian randomisation with coarsened exposures
Authors: Tudball Matthew J. , Bowden Jack , Hughes Rachael A. , Ly Amanda , Munafò Marcus R. , Tilling Kate , Zhao Qingyuan , Davey Smith George 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA key assumption in Mendelian randomisation is that the relationship between the genetic instruments and the outcome is fully mediated by the exposure, known as the exclusion restriction assumption. However, in epidemiological studies, the exposure is often a coarsened approximation to some latent continuous trait. For example, latent liability to schizophrenia can be thought of as underlying the binary diagnosis measure. Genetically driven variation in the outcome can exist within categories of the exposure measurement, thus violating this assumption. We propose a framework to clarify this violation, deriving a simple expression for the resulting bias and showing that it may inflate or deflate effect estimates but will not reverse their sign. We then characterise a set of assumptions and a straight‐forward method for estimating the effect of SD increases in the latent exposure. Our method relies on a sensitivity parameter which can be interpreted as the genetic variance of the latent exposure. We show that this method can be applied in both the one‐sample and two‐sample settings. We conclude by demonstrating our method in an applied example and reanalysing two papers which are likely to suffer from this type of bias, allowing meaningful interpretation of their effect sizes.
Hydrological regimes in a tropical valley of New Caledonia (SW Pacific): Impacts of wildfires and invasive fauna
Authors: Tramier Caroline Marie Clémence , Genthon Pierre , Delvienne Quentin Réginald Camille Paul , Sauvan Nicolas Luc , Cassan Jean‐Jérôme Olivier , Ebrard Etienne , Dumas Pascal Sébastien , Queffélean Yann 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn New Caledonia wildfires and invasive mammals (deer and wild pigs) constitute the major agents of land surface degradation. Our study reveals the linkage between land cover and water balance on the northeast coast of New Caledonia (2400 mm annual rainfall) located on a micaschist basement. The hydrological regime of characteristic and representative land surfaces is assessed using a 1‐year record from three 100 m2 plots each, located in a forest area degraded by an invasive fauna, in a woody savannah which is regularly burned, and in a healthy forest area. The three plots present highly contrasting hydrological regimes, with annual and maximum runoff/rain ratios during a rain event of, respectively, 0.82, 0.16, 0.03, and 2.7, 0.7, 0.2, for the degraded forest, the savannah and the healthy forest. Such results suggest that subsurface flow originating from the contributing area above the degraded forest plot should exfiltrate inside the plot. A conceptual model for the degraded forest plot shows that water exfiltrating inside the plot represents 61% of the observed runoff. In savannahs, water should mainly be transferred downstream by subsurface flow within a thick organic soil layer limited by an impervious clay layer at a 20–30 cm depth. Savannahs are generally located above forests and generate the transfer of rainwater to downslope forests. Exfiltration into the forests can be the result of this transfer and depends on the thickness and permeability of the forest topsoils and on topographic gradients. Water exfiltration in forest areas highly degraded by pigs and deer enhances erosion and increases further degradation. It probably also limits percolation in the areas located downstream by increasing the amount of superficial runoff concentrated in gullies.
Describing alpine lake influence on stream network temperatures: A statistical modelling approach
Authors: Carlson Samuel P. , Poole Geoffrey C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSystematic variations in atmospheric heat exchange, surface residence time, and groundwater influx across montane stream networks commonly produce an increasing stream temperature trend with decreasing elevation. However, complex stream temperature profiles that differ from this common longitudinal trend also exist, suggesting that stream temperatures may be influenced by complex interactions among hydrologic and atmospheric processes. Lakes within stream networks form one potential source of temperature profile complexity due to the spatially variable contribution of lake‐sourced water to stream flow. We investigated temperature profile complexity in a multi‐season stream temperature dataset collected across a montane stream network containing many alpine lakes. This investigation was performed by making comparisons between multiple statistical models that used different combinations of stream and lake characteristics to represent specific hypotheses for the controls on stream temperature. The compared models included a set of models which used a topographically derived estimate of the hydrologic influence of lakes to separate and quantify the effects of stream elevation and lake source‐water contributions to longitudinal stream temperature patterns. This source‐water mixing model provided a parsimonious explanation for complex stream‐network temperature patterns in the summer and autumn, and this approach may be further applicable to other systems where stream temperatures are influenced by multiple water sources. Simpler models that discounted lake effects were more optimal during the winter and spring, suggesting that complex patterns in stream temperature profiles may emerge and subside temporally, across seasons, in response to diversity of water temperatures from different sources.
The euro to dollar exchange rate in the Covid‐19 era: Evidence from spectral causality and Markov‐switching estimation
Authors: Konstantakis Konstantinos N. , Melissaropoulos Ioannis G. , Daglis Theodoros , Michaelides Panayotis G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse how the Covid‐19 pandemic changed the dynamics of the euro to dollar exchange rate. To do so, we make use of spectral non‐causality tests to uncover the determinants of the euro to dollar exchange rate, using data that cover the pre‐Covid‐19 and the actual Covid‐19 era, by considering the exchange rate movements of other currencies, the stock market index of S&P 500, and the price of oil and gold, as well as their realized volatilities. Based on our findings, the Covid‐19 pandemic has indeed significantly changed the determinants of the euro to dollar exchange rate. Also, to investigate the potential shifts in the regimes of the euro to dollar exchange rate, we formulate a Markov‐switching model with two regimes, based on the determinants that have been found in the previous step. Based on our findings, the duration of the high volatility state in the Covid‐19 era has doubled, from almost 3 to approximately 6 days, compared to the pre‐Covid‐19 era, whereas the high volatility state in the Covid‐19 era is characterized by a statistically significant higher range of volatility compared to the pre‐Covid‐19 era.
Do extreme shocks help forecast oil price volatility? The augmented GARCH‐MIDAS approach
Authors: Wang Lu , Ma Feng , Liu Guoshan , Lang Qiaoqi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExtreme shocks (e.g., wars and financial crises) cause violent fluctuations in crude oil volatility. In this paper, we first propose GARCH models in the framework of MIDAS augmented to include the impacts of extreme shocks on oil price volatility. In‐sample results show that extreme shocks can induce the additional volatility of crude oil. Further, the results from out‐of‐sample clearly indicate that the crude oil volatility is best fitted by the EGARCH‐MIDAS‐ES model, which incorporates asymmetric effects in the short‐term component and the significant effect of extreme shocks in the long‐term component. Additionally, robustness tests confirm that the augmented volatility models can produce better prediction results, both statistically and economically, than the conventional GARCH‐MIDAS model. Furthermore, we verify that negative extreme shocks can cause larger volatility, whereas positive extreme shocks of the same magnitude have smaller effects. Our contribution offers fresh insights into energy price volatility forecasting by considering extreme shocks.
The impact of foreign direct investment on the economic development of emerging countries of the European Union
Authors: Burlea‐Schiopoiu Adriana , Brostescu Simina , Popescu Liviu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractStarting from the premise that the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the economies of the host countries is different from one economy to another, the aim is to evaluate the impact of a set of economic and social indicators on FDI and net income (% GDP–Gross Domestic Product) in emerging, ex‐socialist countries of the European Union. Using econometric models, we analysed the relationship between the evolution of the net FDI inflows and a number of statistical indicators. Our findings proved that there are similarities between the countries analysed, in terms of the evolution of net FDI inflows, with some differences being recorded for Hungary, where the evolution of net FDI inflows has major fluctuations. We found that the countries present both similarities and differences in terms of variables that affect FDI. The FDI net inflows (% GDP) are in seven, out of nine economies, positively influenced by GDP, as it follows: Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovenia are FDI attractive by an increasing GDP rate, while Latvia, Poland and Romania react to a better GDP per capita. Hungary is the only one that is positively influenced by both GDP rate and GDP per capita. Moreover, a decreasing corruption perception index, country risk rating, income tax (% of commercial profit) and other taxes paid by companies (% commercial profit) can positively influence the inflows of FDIs in some of the analysed countries.
Fabrication and characterization of electrospun biopolyester/gelatin nanofibers
Authors: Ulker Turan Cansu , Guvenilir Yuksel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPoly(ω‐pentadecalactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) copolymer (PDL‐CL) is an enzymatically synthesized aliphatic biopolyester, which has been participated in a nanofibrous structure for the first time. Electrospinning of this synthetic polymer by blending with a natural polymer such as gelatin (Gel) could provide new characteristics that are significant for biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. In the present study, PDL‐CL/Gel nanofibrous membranes were successfully produced and characterized. The average diameter of nanofibers was 305.0 ± 45.5 nm that may be beneficial in applications mentioned above. In order to increase hydrolytic resistance, cross‐linking with glutaraldehyde vapor was applied. Cross‐linking for 2 h was enough to obtain a nanofibrous membrane that was able to resist in pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline for 30 days. In addition, contact angle measurement results had shown that, cross‐linked nanofibrous membrane had good wettability, which is a required specification to be applied in biomedical field. Hence, this study provides an overview on fabrication of fine PDL‐CL/Gel nanofibers, which may have potential to be used in biomedical area.
Association of regular aerobic exercises and neuromuscular junction variants with incidence of frailty: an analysis of the Chinese Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Jie , Yao Yao , Zhang Pei‐Dong , Li Zhi‐Hao , Zhang Pei , Li Fu‐Rong , Wang Zheng‐He , Liu Dan , Lv Yue‐Bin , Kang Lin , Shi Xiao‐Ming , Mao Chen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundCandidate genes of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) pathway increased risk of frailty, but the extent and whether can be offset by exercises was unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between aerobic exercises and incident frailty regardless of NMJ pathway‐related genetic risk.MethodsA cohort study on participants from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey was conducted from 2008 to 2011. A total of 7006 participants (mean age of 80.6 ± 10.3 years) without frailty at baseline were interviewed to record aerobic exercise status, and 4053 individuals among them submitted saliva samples. NMJ pathway‐related genes were genotyped and weighted genetic risk scores were constructed.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 3.1 years (19 634 person‐years), there were 1345 cases (19.2%) of incident frailty. Persistent aerobic exercises were associated with a 26% lesser frailty risk [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.64–0.85]. This association was stronger in a subgroup of 1552 longevous participants (age between 90 and 111 years, adjusted HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.60–0.87). High genetic risk was associated with a 35% increased risk of frailty (adjusted HR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.16–1.58). Of the participants with high genetic risk and no persistent aerobic exercises, there was a 59% increased risk of frailty (adjusted HR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.20–2.09). HRs for the risk of frailty increased from the low genetic risk with persistent aerobic exercise to high genetic risk without persistent aerobic exercise (P trend <0.001).ConclusionsBoth aerobic exercises and NMJ pathway‐related genetic risk were significantly associated with frailty. Persistent aerobic exercises can partly offset NMJ pathway‐related genetic risk to frailty in elderly people.
Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula diagnosed by transthoracic contrast echocardiography: A case report
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Jian , Wang Anlong , Wang Ceng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report the case of a 38‐year‐old woman who was admitted due to right limb numbness. A right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) was detected by transthoracic contrast echocardiography (cTTE), and microbubbles appeared in the left heart seven cardiac cycles after opacification of the right heart, suggesting pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. This was supported by computed tomography angiography. She underwent thoracoscopic partial right lower pneumonectomy and recovered after surgery. At 1 year follow‐up, she had no relapse of stroke or cerebral infarction. This case shows the typical signs of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula on contrast‐enhanced trans‐thoracic echocardiography, which allowed an accurate and rapid diagnosis.
Elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor serum levels indicate poor survival following transarterial chemoembolization therapy for hepatic malignancies: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Loosen Sven H , Schulze‐Hagen Max , Vucur Mihael , Gorgulho Joao , Paffenholz Pia , Benz Fabian , Mohr Raphael , Demir Münevver , Wree Alexander , Kuhl Christiane , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank , Bruners Philipp , Luedde Tom , Roderburg Christoph 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and AimTransarterial chemoembolization (TACE) represents a standard of care for patients with intermediate‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases. However, identification of the ideal candidates for TACE therapy remains challenging. The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has recently evolved as a prognostic marker in patients with cancer; however no data on suPAR in the context of TACE exists.MethodsSerum levels of suPAR were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in n = 48 TACE patients (HCC: n = 38, liver metastases: n = 10) before intervention and 1 day after TACE, as well as in 20 healthy controls.ResultsSerum levels of suPAR were significantly elevated in patients with liver cancer compared to healthy controls. Patients with or without an objective tumor response to TACE therapy had comparable levels of circulating suPAR. Importantly, baseline suPARs above the ideal prognostic cut‐off value (5.39 ng/mL) were a significant prognostic marker for reduced overall survival (OS) following TACE. As such, patients with initial suPAR levels >5.39 ng/mL showed a significantly reduced median OS of only 256 days compared to patients with suPAR serum levels below the cut‐off value (median OS: 611 days). In line with previous data, suPAR serum concentrations correlated with those of creatinine but were independent of tumor entity, leukocyte count, and C‐reactive protein in multivariate analysis.ConclusionBaseline suPAR serum levels provide important information on the postinterventional outcome of liver cancer patients receiving TACE.
Ustekinumab in Crohn's disease: Real‐world outcomes from the Sicilian network for inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: Viola Anna , Muscianisi Marco , Macaluso Fabio S , Ventimiglia Marco , Cappello Maria , Privitera Antonino C , Magnano Antonio , Pluchino Dario , Magrì Giovanni , Ferracane Concetta , Mocciaro Filippo , Garufi Serena , Giuffrida Enrica , Costantino Giuseppe , Fiocco Gabriele , Grova Mauro , Guida Laura , Alibrandi Angela , Orlando Ambrogio , Fries Walter ,   the “Sicilian Network for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (SN‐IBD)”
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and AimUstekinumab is approved in Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD). Italian real‐life data are scarce, so the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in an Italian cohort of CD patients.MethodsData of patients with CD who started using ustekinumab were extracted from the cohort of the Sicilian Network for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Primary end‐points were steroid‐free clinical remission at 8, 24, and 52 weeks of therapy and reduction of C‐reactive protein. Secondary end‐points were treatment response, treatment persistence at 12 months, and safety.ResultsA total of 131 patients (males 56%; mean age 46 years ±15) were included. All patients were biologics experienced except for one. At 24 and 52 weeks, 40% and 43% of patients achieved steroid‐free clinical remission, and 64% and 62% had clinical response, respectively. At the end of follow‐up, there was a significant reduction of steroid use (P = 0.012) and of the Harvey‐Bradshaw Index (P = 0.001). The probability of persistence in therapy with ustekinumab after 12 months of treatment was 89%. The only factor associated with discontinuation was older age.ConclusionsData from our real‐life cohort of treatment‐refractory CD patients suggest the satisfactory effectiveness and safety profile of ustekinumab.
Surgical approaches for minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy: A systematic review
Authors: Ban Daisuke , Garbarino Giovanni Maria , Ishikawa Yoshiya , Honda Goro , Jang Jin‐Young , Kang Chang Moo , Maekawa Aya , Murase Yoshiki , Nagakawa Yuichi , Nishino Hitoe , Ohtsuka Takao , Yiengpruksawan Anusak , Endo Itaru , Tsuchida Akihiko , Nakamura Masafumi ,   Study group of Precision Anatomy for Minimally Invasive Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic surgery (PAM‐HBP surgery)
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMinimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) was initially performed for benign tumors, but recently its indications have steadily broadened to encompass other conditions including pancreatic malignancies. Thorough anatomical knowledge is mandatory for precise surgery in the era of minimally invasive surgery. However, expert consensus regarding anatomical landmarks to facilitate the safe performance of MIDP is still lacking.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed using keywords to identify articles regarding the vascular anatomy and surgical approaches/techniques for MIDP.ResultsAll of the systematic reviews revealed that MIDP was not associated with an increase in postoperative complications. Moreover, most showed that MIDP resulted in less blood loss than open surgery. Regarding surgical approaches for MIDP, a standardized stepwise procedure improved surgical outcomes, including blood loss, operative time, and major complications. There are two approaches to the splenic vessels, superior and inferior; however, no study has ever directly compared them with respect to clinical outcomes. The morphology of the splenic artery affects the difficulty of approaching the artery's root. To select an appropriate dissecting layer when performing posterior resection, thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the fascia, left renal vein/artery, and left adrenal gland is needed.ConclusionsIn MIDP, a standardized approach and precise knowledge of anatomy facilitates safe surgery and has the advantage of a shorter learning curve. Anatomical features and landmarks are particularly important in cases of radical MIDP and splenic vessel preserving MIDP.