bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Let's Talk About Sex: Counselling Muslim Selves Online
Authors: Abdel-Fadil Mona 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIslam Online Arabic, and particularly the counselling service Problems and Solutions, received harsh critique for being too ‘open’ or even ‘un-Islamic’ in their views and dealings with sensitive topics, not least with regards to sexuality. The counselling service Problems and Solutions can be considered the emblem of Islam Online's efforts to unite secular and Islamic perspectives and relate to contemporary Muslims’ real lives and problems. Counsellors argue that there is a total lack of sexual education in the Arab world, a problem which must be faced head on. Problems and Solutions questioners could ask the most intimate of questions without shame or embarrassment. This article provides an overview of the types of questions about sexuality and sexual relations that questioners sent to Problems and Solutions counsellors. Moreover, the analysis sheds light on: 1) the various aspects of contemporary Arab marriages and taboo-ridden sexuality which counsellors believe to be detrimental to marriages, and 2) a variety of proposed local remedies, including encouraging men to aspire to the ‘new man’ ideal.
Deciphering excited state properties utilizing algebraic diagrammatic construction schemes of decreasing order
Authors: Hoffmann Marvin , Dreuw Andreas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExcited state properties are difficult to trace back to the common molecular orbital picture when the excited state wavefunction is a linear combination of two or more Slater determinants. Here, a theoretical methodology is introduced based on the algebraic diagrammatic construction scheme for the polarization propagator (ADC(n)) that allows to make this connection and to eventually derive structure–function relationships. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated by an analysis of the transition dipole moments of the low‐lying 1B3u and 2B3u states of anthracene and (1,4,5,8)‐tetraazaanthracene.
Efficient alcoholysis of furfuryl alcohol to n‐butyl levulinate catalyzed by 5‐sulfosalicylic acid
Authors: Zhao Wenguang , Ding Hui , Tian Yi , Xu Qiong , Liu Xianxiang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIt is urgent to study the utilization of biomass energy to solve the environmental problems caused by the excessive use of fossil fuels. In this study, a rapid and efficient route for the conversion of furfuryl alcohol (FA) into n‐butyl levulinate (BL) has been catalyzed by 5‐sulfosalicylic acid. The nearly complete conversion of FA and a considerable 99.7% selectivity of BL are obtained under the optimal conditions. Based on the experimental results, a possible mechanism for the alcoholysis of FA is proposed. The present study provided a promising way for alkyl levulinates synthesis over economical and environmentally benign catalysts.
Preliminary clinical study of the safety of hepatectomy predicted by gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid‐enhanced T1 mapping magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Liu Jiao , Li Qingtao , Shi Nannan , Chen Yi , Li Yesheng , Zhang Meng , Huang Yangqing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and AimStudies have found that gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced T1 mapping magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could assess liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and function with high effectiveness. The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy of MRI in predicting the safety of hepatectomy.MethodsForty‐nine patients who underwent liver resection were recruited. Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI examination was performed 1 week before surgery, and the rate of T1 relaxation time reduction (ΔT120min%) of liver parenchyma was calculated. Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) was defined by the “50–50 criteria” and International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) classification, respectively, and posthepatectomy complications (PHC) were defined by the Clavien‐Dindo grading system. The effectiveness of ΔT120min% in predicting the occurrence of PHLF and PHC was analyzed.ResultsThe area under the curve (AUC) for ΔT120min% predicting PHLF meeting “50–50 criteria” was 0.957, with a cutoff value of 0.497, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 89.1%. The AUC for predicting ISGLS grade B/C (severe) PHLF was 0.84, with a cutoff value of 0.5232, sensitivity of 63.6%, and specificity of 92.6%. The AUC for predicting PHC of Clavien‐Dindo grades 3–5 (severe) was 0.882, with a cutoff value of 0.5646, sensitivity of 87.5%, and specificity of 75.8%. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that ΔT120min% < 0.4970 (P < 0.01) was an independent risk factor for the development of PHLF (50–50 criteria). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that liver stiffness measurement and ΔT120min% were risk factors for severe PHLF and severe PHC.ConclusionsGd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced T1 mapping MRI accurately predicts the safety of hepatectomy.
Variants in TNF and NOS3 (eNOS) genes associated with sepsis in adult patients
Authors: Özkan Mustafa , Günay Nurullah , Sener Elif Funda , Karcıoglu Özgür , Tahtasakal Reyhan , Dal Fatma , Günay Nahide Ekici , Demiryürek Abdullah Tuncay 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSepsis is a life‐threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infections and is a leading cause of death in hospitalized patients. The present study aimed to elucidate the possible association between sepsis and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene –308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphism, as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, NOS3) gene –786T/C (rs2070744), 4a/4b (27 bp‐VNTR in intron 4, rs61722009) and 894G/T (Glu298Asp, rs1799983) polymorphisms.MethodsIn total, 188 septic adult cases and 188 healthy controls were enrolled. Genomic DNAs from the controls and patients were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.ResultsThere were significant associations between the G/G genotype and G allele of the TNF –308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphism in the sepsis group (p < 0.001). The presence of the T/C genotype (p = 0.002) and C allele (p = 0.001) of the –786T/C (rs2070744) was markedly associated with an increased risk of sepsis. However, no significant associations were found with 4a/4b (27 bp‐VNTR in intron 4, rs61722009) and 894G/T (Glu298Asp, rs1799983) polymorphisms. Higher 4bGC and lower 4bTT haplotype frequencies were associated with sepsis.ConclusionsOur results strongly suggest that TNF gene (−308G/A, rs1800629) and NOS3 gene –786T/C (rs2070744) polymorphisms may modify individual susceptibility to sepsis in the Turkish population.
Serum sphingolipid profile in asthma
Authors: Guo Chenglin , Sun Lina , Zhang Linlin , Dong Fawu , Zhang Xu , Yao Liu , Chang Chun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSphingolipids metabolism is an important cell process and plays critical roles in asthma. However, the involvement of sphingolipids in the pathogenesis of asthma and its subtypes is unknown. The present study aimed to determine the role of sphingolipids in asthma and its subtypes. Clinical data from 51 asthma patients and 9 healthy individuals were collected and serum samples were performed to analyze the levels of serum sphingolipids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics. Results showed that the levels of sphingomyelin (SM) including SM34:2, SM38:1, and SM40:1 were significantly decreased in asthmatic patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, serum SM levels were obviously decreased in the blood noneosinophilic asthma (bNEA) group compared with blood eosinophilic asthma group. Similar tendencies of serum SM level changes were observed in the early-onset group compared with late-onset group. Correlation analysis revealed that SM 40:1 was negatively related to sputum IL-17A (r = −0.621, P = 0.042). The present study presented that the SM may be a protective factor of asthma and contributes to the mechanism of asthma, especially bNEA. SM may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in asthma.
Utility of absolute apparent diffusion coefficient and chemical‐shift imaging versus CT attenuation for predicting malignancy from percutaneous bone biopsies
Authors: Sebro Ronnie , Ashok S. Sharon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionBone lesions are sometimes detected on computed tomography studies, and biopsies are performed to evaluate whether these are malignant. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether chemical‐shift imaging (CSI) and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are more informative than the CT attenuation for predicting malignancy.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 86 patients who underwent both diagnostic CT, CSI MRI and DWI MRI within 6 weeks prior to bone biopsy at a tertiary care academic institution between 01/01/2010 and 03/01/2020. The CT attenuation, signal intensity on in‐phase sequences (SIIP), signal intensity on out‐of‐phase sequences (SIOP), signal intensity ratio (SIR = SIOP/SIIP) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the lesions over the region of the biopsy tract were measured.ResultsA threshold CT attenuation of 157 Hounsfield Units (HU) had a sensitivity of 47.7%, specificity of 83.3% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.59. A threshold ADC of 793 × 10−6 mm2/s had a sensitivity of 75.8%, specificity of 85.7% and AUC of 0.83 to predict whether a bone biopsy would detect malignancy. A threshold SIR of 0.949 had a sensitivity of 77.8%, specificity of 77.8% and AUC of 0.81 to predict whether a bone biopsy would detect malignancy. ADC (P = 0.029) and SIR (P = 0.009) were significantly better than CT attenuation. There was no predictive difference between SIR and ADC (P = 0.742).ConclusionsThe CT attenuation of a lesion is a poor predictor of malignancy in bone lesions. CSI and DWI are significantly better for predicting malignancy.
Olfactory ensheathing cells: Unique glial cells promising for treatments of spinal cord injury
Authors: Ursavas Selin , Darici Hakan , Karaoz Erdal 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is generally the consequence of physical damage, which may result in devastating consequences such as paraplegia or paralysis. Some certain candidates for SCI repair are olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which are unique glial cells located in the transition region of the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system and perform neuron regeneration in the olfactory system throughout life. Culture studies have clarified many properties of OECs, but their mechanisms of actions are not fully understood. Successful results achieved in animal models showcased that SCI treatment with OEC transplants is suitable for clinical trials. However, clinical trials are limited by difficulties like cell acquisition for autograft transplantation. Despite the improvements in both animal and clinical studies so far, there is still insufficient information about the mechanism of actions, adverse effects, proper application methods, effective subtypes, and sources of cells. This review summarizes pre‐clinical and clinical literature focused on the cellular characterization of both OECs in vitro and post‐transplantation. We highlight the roles and effects of OECs on (a) the injury‐induced glial milieu, (b) neuronal growth/regeneration, and (c) functional recovery after injury. Due to the shown benefits of OECs with in vitro and animal studies and a limited number of clinical trials, where safety and effectivity were shown, it is necessary to conduct more studies on OECs to obtain effective and feasible treatment methods.
Reconstruction of subglacial depositional conditions based on the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility: an example from Dębe (central Poland)
Authors: Teodorski Artur , Dzierżek Jan , Ziółkowski Piotr 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThe analysis of low‐field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was used to reconstruct the subglacial deposition conditions during the Main Stadial of the Odranian Glaciation (MIS 6) in till deposits from a site in Dębe (central Poland). Based on the AMS parameters, six till beds were identified (intervals 1–6). The declination of the maximum magnetic susceptibility axis (k1) indicates that the ice sheet was moving in from the northwest. The obtained results confirm the thesis about the preferred direction of ice‐sheet transgression during the Odranian Glaciation (MIS 6) in this part of Poland. This interpretation is also confirmed by data obtained from measurements of the long axis of clasts, which agree with the orientation of k1. Based on the AMS results, a significant part of the profile was deformed through simple shear and direct interaction of the ice sheet with the underlying sediment (beds 2–5). The lowest part of the till (bed 6) may have been deposited on a southeast‐trending slope or post‐depositional deformed by uneven loading of the ice cover. The upper part of the profile (especially in interval 1) could be deposited with an impact of pore water.
Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on the Release of Insulin, Glucagon, and Alpha‐Amylase from Ex Vivo Pancreatic Models
Authors: Suarez‐Castellanos Ivan , Singh Tania , Chatterjee Bhowmick Diti , Cohen Joshua , Jeremic Aleksandar , Zderic Vesna 
Published: February 2021

ObjectivesOur previously published studies showed the potential of therapeutic ultrasound (US) as a novel non‐pharmacological alternative for the treatment of secretory deficiencies in type 2 diabetes. Despite showing enhanced insulin release from beta cells, these studies did not explore the potential effects of US treatment on other cells in the islets of Langerhans such as glucagon‐secreting alpha cells or acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas.MethodsWe applied US parameters found capable of safely stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells (f = 800 kHz, ISPTA = 0.5–1 W/cm2, 5 minutes) to a diced rabbit pancreas model in culture plates (n = 6 per group). Released quantities of insulin and glucagon in response to US treatment were measured by collecting aliquots of the extracellular medium prior to the start of the treatment (t = 0 minute), immediately after treatment (t = 5 minutes) and 30 minutes after the end of treatment (t = 35 minutes). Potential release of digestive enzyme alpha‐amylase as a result of US treatment was evaluated in rabbit pancreas experiments. Preliminary studies were also performed in a small number of human pancreatic islets in culture plates (n = 3 per group). The general integrity of the US‐treated rabbit pancreatic tissue and human pancreatic islets was evaluated through histological analysis.ResultsWhile sham‐treated rabbit pancreas samples showed decreased extracellular insulin content, there was an increase in insulin release at t = 5 minutes from samples treated with US at 800 kHz and 1 W/cm2 (P <.005). Furthermore, no further insulin release was detected at t = 35 minutes. No statistically significant difference in extracellular glucagon and alpha‐amylase concentrations was observed between US‐treated and sham rabbit pancreas groups. Preliminary studies in human islets appeared to follow trends observed in rabbit pancreas studies. Islet and other pancreatic tissue integrity did not appear to be affected by the US treatment.ConclusionA potential US‐based strategy for enhanced insulin release would require optimization of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells while minimizing glucagon and pancreatic enzyme secretions.
24‐Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Kang Kun‐Tai , Chiu Shuenn‐Nan , Weng Wen‐Chin , Lee Pei‐Lin , Hsu Wei‐Chung 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate blood pressure (BP) variability in 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Study DesignCase series study.MethodsChildren aged 4 to 16 years with clinical symptoms were recruited in a tertiary medical center. Overnight polysomnography and 24‐hour recordings of ambulatory BP were performed for each child. The severity of OSA was classified as primary snoring (apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] < 1), mild OSA (1 ≤ AHI < 5), moderate OSA (10 > AHI ≥ 5), and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 10). The standard deviation of mean BP was used as an indicator of BP variability.ResultsA total of 550 children were included (mean age: 7.6 years; 70% were boys; 20% were obese). Compared with the children with primary snoring, children with severe OSA exhibited significantly higher nighttime systolic BP (108.0 vs. 100.5 mmHg, P < .001), nighttime diastolic BP (58.9 vs 55.6 mmHg, P = .002), nighttime mean arterial pressure (75.3 vs. 70.5 mmHg, P < .001), nighttime systolic BP load (40.5% vs. 25.0%, P < .001), nighttime diastolic BP load (25.3% vs. 12.9%, P < .001), and nighttime systolic BP variability (11.4 vs. 9.6, P = .001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed an independent association between AHI and nighttime systolic BP variability (regression coefficient = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.06–0.56, P = .015) after adjustment for age, gender, adiposity, and hypertensive status.ConclusionsOSA in children is associated with increased BP and BP variability.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:2126–2132, 2021
Beall's legacy in the battle against predatory publishers
Authors: Kendall Graham 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBetween 2009 and 2012, Jeffrey Beall published four articles which analysed 18 publishers (17 of which he identified as predatory). He also introduced the term predatory in the context of scientific publishing. In 2012, he started Beall's List, which maintained a list of predatory publishers and journals. This became a valuable resource for those who wanted to know if a journal was legitimate, although others were very critical of the list. This article considers what he wrote and the list he developed and the criticisms that have been levelled against Beall's list. Beall's legacy can be considered to ensure that the problems of fraudulent or inappropriate publishing practices are highlighted and that the scientific community remains aware of the problem. Unfortunately, his legacy has not led to an eradication of predatory journals, and the problem appears to have become worse in the past decade. Although there is opportunity to build on his legacy, there have been few practical moves, and this article suggests that there is an opportunity for clearer, more universally accepted guidelines and approval criteria for quality journals.
Hydroacoustic Autonomous boat for Remote fish detection in LakE (HARLE), an unmanned autonomous surface vehicle to monitor fish populations in lakes
Authors: Goulon Chloé , Le Meaux Olivier , Vincent‐Falquet Romain , Guillard Jean 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo evaluate the aquatic ecosystem's quality and ensure the sustainable management of fisheries, it is important to monitor fish populations. Hydroacoustics uses sound waves to noninvasively scan and gather information on waterbodies including fish abundance and distribution. Unmanned surface vehicles (USV) have been increasingly used in marine and freshwater environments to enable data collection. We provide a detailed description of a new USV called Hydroacoustic Autonomous boat for Remote fish detection in LakE (HARLE), which is devoted to hydroacoustic studies in freshwater. The USV is electrically powered and equipped with the most modern fishery scientific echosounder, suitable for broadband applications, the EK80 (SIMRAD). The USV was used for a conventional hydroacoustic survey in a peri‐alpine lake to investigate its potential to monitor fish populations in lakes. In the lower layer of the lake where there were numerous targets and comparisons were possible, hydroacoustic metrics and fish biomass values (kg ha−1) from the SIMRAD EK80 on board the USV and EK60 on board the research vessel were similar. We showed that the HARLE has great potential to be used as a tool for fish monitoring and hydroacoustic survey in freshwater.
Temperature‐Controlled Adhesion to Carbohydrate Functionalized Microgel Films: An E. coli and Lectin Binding Study
Authors: Paul Tanja J. , Strzelczyk Alexander K. , Schmidt Stephan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe preparation of thermoresponsive mannose functionalized monolayers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) microgels and the analysis of the specific binding of concanavalin A (ConA) and E. coli above and below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) are shown. Via inhibition and direct binding assays it is found that ConA binding is time‐dependent, where at short incubation times binding is stronger above the LCST. Given larger incubation times, the interaction of ConA to the microgel network is increased below the LCST when compared to temperatures above the LCST, possibly due to increased ConA diffusion and multivalent binding in the more open microgel network below the LCST. For E. coli, which presents only monovalent lectins and is too large to diffuse into the network, binding is always enhanced above the LCST. This is due to the larger mannose density of the microgel layer above the LCST increasing the interaction to E. coli. Once bound to the microgel layer above the LCST, E. coli cannot be released by cooling down below the LCST. Overall, this suggests that the carbohydrate presenting microgel layers enable specific binding where the temperature‐induced transition between swollen and collapsed microgels may increase or decrease binding depending on the receptor size.
The Weil–Petersson current on Douady spaces
Authors: Axelsson Reynir , Schumacher Georg 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Douady space of compact subvarieties of a Kähler manifold is equipped with the Weil–Petersson current, which is everywhere positive with local continuous potentials, and of class when restricted to the locus of smooth fibers. There a Quillen metric is known to exist, whose Chern form is equal to the Weil–Petersson form. In the algebraic case, we show that the Quillen metric can be extended to the determinant line bundle as a singular hermitian metric. On the other hand the determinant line bundle can be extended in such a way that the Quillen metric yields a singular hermitian metric whose Chern form is equal to the Weil–Petersson current. We show a general theorem comparing holomorphic line bundles equipped with singular hermitian metrics which are isomorphic over the complement of a snc divisor B. They differ by a line bundle arising from the divisor and a flat line bundle. The Chern forms differ by a current of integration with support in B and a further current related to its normal bundle. The latter current is equal to zero in the case of Douady spaces due to a theorem of Yoshikawa on Quillen metrics for singular families over curves.