bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydration of cubic tricalcium aluminate in the presence of calcined clays
Authors: Maier Matthias , Scherb Sebastian , Neißer‐Deiters Axel , Beuntner Nancy , Thienel Karl‐Christian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCalcined clay blended cements play a major role in cement industry's strategy to reduce CO2 emissions. During their hydration, an accelerated aluminate reaction is often observed to affect the sulfate balance. The objective of this study was to provide insights into the influence of different calcined clays on the hydration of cubic tricalcium aluminate (C3A). A cementitious model system consisting of cubic C3A, quartz powder, calcium sulfate and a model pore solution was investigated. The influence of three different calcined clays and one nanolimestone was examined by a successive replacement of the quartz powder and variation of the calcium sulfate. Heat flow and hydrate phase development were followed by isothermal calorimetry and quantitative in‐situ X‐ray diffraction. Accelerated ettringite formation and sulfate depletion were observed for all calcined clays, while the nanolimestone exhibited the opposite effect. It was found that adsorption of SO4 ions and/or Ca‐SO4‐complexes at the surface of calcined clay particles is the main factor inhibiting retardation of the C3A hydration in absence of a silicate reaction. In the Al‐rich systems a retardation through sulfate adjustment seems to be impeded by additional Al ions, which react with Ca adsorbed onto and leached from the C3A surface.
Single‐component‐at‐a‐time variation study for glass‐ceramic waste forms
Authors: Kissinger Ryan M. , Crum Jarrod V. , Riley Brian J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA 51‐sample composition variation study was performed on glass‐ceramic waste forms for a raffinate waste stream from aqueous reprocessing of used nuclear fuel containing high fractions of Mo, alkalis, alkaline earths (AEs), and rare earths (REs). The study was designed with a single‐component‐at‐a‐time variation approach off a centroid composition. The components that were varied included Al, B, Ca, Li, Mo, Na, REs, Si, Zr, and Others (containing minor components). Data analysis included crystallization curves, microstructure, and phase compositions. A number of components (i.e., Li2O, B2O3, REOx, MoO3, Na2O, and ZrO2) significantly impacted the concentration and chemistry of phases, especially the primary phases of oxyapatite [i.e., Ca2RE8(SiO4)6O2] and powellite (i.e., AEMoO4), precipitated in the slow‐cool heat‐treated waste forms; minor phases included cerianite [i.e., CexZr(1‐x)O2], Ba‐molybdate [i.e., Ba(Gd0.67Mo0.33O3], noble metals, pollucite (i.e., CsAlSiO4), and RE‐borosilicate (i.e., RE3BSi2O10).
Phone calls for improving blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending private medical practitioners in India: Findings from Mumbai hypertension project
Authors: Kannure Mandar , Hegde Asha , Khungar‐Pathni Anupam , Sharma Bhawna , Scuteri Angelo , Neupane Dinesh , Gandhi Ravdeep Kaur , Patel Haresh , Surendran Sapna , Jondhale Vaishnavi , Gupta Suman , Phalake Ajit , Walkar Vrushal , George Roshini , Mcguire Helen , Jain Neeraj , Vijayan Shibu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDespite the availability of effective medication, blood pressure control rates are low, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Adherence to medication and follow‐up visits are important factors in blood pressure control. This study assessed the effectiveness of reminder telephone calls on follow‐up visits and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients as part of the Mumbai Hypertension Project. This project was initiated by PATH with the support from Resolve to Save Lives from January 2019 to February 2020. The study included hypertensive patients attending 164 private practices in Mumbai, India; practitioners screened all adults visiting their clinic during the project period. Among 13 184 hypertensive patients registered, the mean age was 53 years (SD = 12.38) and 52% were female. Among the 11 544 patients that provided phone numbers and gave consent for follow‐up calls, 9528 responded to phone calls at least once and 5250 patients followed up at least once. Of the 5250 patients, 82% visited the clinic for follow‐up visit within one month after receiving the phone call. The blood pressure control rate among those who answered phone calls and who did not answer phone calls increased from 23.6% to 48.8% (P <.001) and 21.0% to 44.3% (P <.001), respectively. The blood pressure control rate at follow‐up was significantly associated with phone calls (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.34 ‐ 1.71). The study demonstrates that telephone call intervention and follow‐up visits can improve patient retention in care and, subsequently, blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending urban private sector clinics in India.
Study of oral microorganisms contributing to non‐carious cervical lesions via bacterial interaction and pH regulation
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , She Lin , Liu Huanhuan , Liu Pingping , Chen Jue , Chen Yingcong , Zhou Wenjie , Lu Youguang , Lin Jun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThere is a lack of evidence about the relationship between microorganisms and non‐carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) due to limited technologies. A group of 78 patients was enrolled for microbial 16S rRNA sequencing of dental plaques on normal and defective cervical surfaces. Parallel data from 39 patients were analysed with paired t tests, and Fusobacteriales exhibited significantly less distribution on NCCLs than on normal surfaces. As a result, Fusobacterium nucleatum, the most common oral bacterial strain belonging to the order Fusobacteriales, was selected for further research. From a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scan, the tooth surface with Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus mutans culture was more intact than that without Fusobacterium nucleatum. Furthermore, the calcium contents in groups with Fusobacterium nucleatum were significantly higher than that without it. In further mechanistic research, Fusobacterium nucleatum was demonstrated to adhere to and disturb other organisms as well as producing alkaline secretions to neutralize the deleterious acidic environment, protecting the tooth structure. In conclusion, microorganisms and NCCLs were confirmed directly related through adherent bacterial interactions and pH regulation. The research provides a new perspective and experimental evidence for the relation between microorganisms and NCCLs, which guides clinical treatment and preventive dentistry in the future.
Genetically modified attenuated salmonid alphavirus: A potential strategy for immunization of Atlantic salmon
Authors: Aksnes Ida , Braaen Stine , Markussen Turhan , Åkesson Caroline Piercey , Villoing Stephane , Rimstad Espen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPancreas disease (PD) is a serious challenge in European salmonid aquaculture caused by salmonid alphavirus (SAV). In this study, we report the effect of immunization of Atlantic salmon with three attenuated infectious SAV3 strains with targeted mutations in a glycosylation site of the envelope E2 protein and/or in a nuclear localization signal in the capsid protein. In a pilot experiment, it was shown that the mutated viral strains replicated in fish, transmitted to naïve cohabitants and that the transmission had not altered the sequences. In the main experiment, the fish were immunized with the strains and challenged with SAV3 eight weeks after immunization. Immunization resulted in infection both in injected fish and 2 weeks later in the cohabitant fish, followed by a persistent but declining load of the mutated virus variants in the hearts. The immunized fish developed clinical signs and pathology consistent with PD prior to challenge. However, fish injected with the virus mutated in both E2 and capsid showed little clinical signs and had higher average weight gain than the groups immunized with the single mutated variants. The SAV strain used for challenge was not detected in the immunized fish indicating that these fish were protected against superinfection with SAV during the 12 weeks of the experiment.
Quantification and comparison of gene expression associated with iron regulation and metabolism in a virulent and attenuated strain of Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Bruce Timothy J. , Ma Jie , Sudheesh Ponnerassery S. , Cain Kenneth D. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIron is essential for growth and virulence in most pathogenic bacterial strains. In some cases, the hosts for these pathogenic bacteria develop specialized strategies to sequester iron and limit infectivity. This in turn may result in the invading pathogens utilizing high‐affinity iron transport mechanisms, such as the use of iron‐chelating siderophores, to extend beyond the host defences. Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the causative agent of bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD) in salmonids, relies on iron metabolism for infectivity, and the genome of the model CSF‐259‐93 strain has recently been made available. Further, this strain serves as a parent strain for a live‐attenuated vaccine strain, B.17, which has been shown to provide rainbow trout with protection against BCWD. To elucidate specific gene expression responses to iron metabolism and compare strain differences, both F. psychrophilum strains were grown under iron‐limiting conditions and 26 genes related to iron metabolism were mapped for 96 hr in culture via qPCR analyses. Results indicate increased production of the ferrous iron transport protein B (FITB; p =.008), and ferric receptor CfrA (FR 1; p =.012) in the wild‐type CSF‐259‐93 strain at 72 hr and 96 hr post‐exposure to iron‐limiting media. In the B.17 vaccine strain, siderophore synthase (SS) expression was found to be downregulated at 72 hr, in comparison with 0h (p =.018). When strains were compared, FITB (p =.021), FR1 (p =.009) and SS (p =.016) were also elevated in B.17 at 0 hr and TonB outer protein membrane receptor 1 (TBomr1; p =.005) had a lower expression at 96 hr. Overall, this study demonstrated strain‐related gene expression changes in only a fraction of the iron metabolism genes tested; however, results provide insight on potential virulence mechanisms and clarification on iron‐related gene expression for F. psychrophilum.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic papillectomy for early‐stage cancer in duodenal ampullary adenoma: Comparison to surgical treatment
Authors: Hwang Jun Seong , So Hoonsub , Oh Dongwook , Song Tae Jun , Park Do Hyun , Seo Dong‐Wan , Lee Sung Koo , Kim Myung‐Hwan , Hong Seung‐Mo , Yang Jungho , Lee Sang Soo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and AimWhile recent evidences support endoscopic resection as curative in ampullary tumors with high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia, only small case series have reported endoscopic management of early‐stage ampullary cancer; thus, radical surgery remains the only accepted treatment modality. We evaluated the long‐term outcomes of early ampullary adenocarcinoma administered endoscopic management.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 715 patients undergoing endoscopic papillectomy (EP) in a single tertiary medical center in Korea in 2004–2016. We included patients incidentally diagnosed with early‐stage adenocarcinoma (Tis and T1a, American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition) after EP and with >2 years of follow‐up data and analyzed their demographics, histopathologic data, and clinical outcomes.ResultsAmong 70 total patients in the EP‐alone (n = 42) and subsequent surgery (n = 28) groups, we observed no significant differences in demographics or tumor size (2.0 ± 0.6 vs 1.9 ± 0.5 cm, P = 0.532), histologic grade (P = 0.077), tumor extent (P = 1.000), lymphovascular invasion (2.4% vs 10.7%, P = 0.344), or complete resection rates (57.1% vs 57.1%, P = 1.000) between groups. Adenocarcinoma lesions were larger in the subsequent surgery group (0.7 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.7 cm, P = 0.002). The EP‐alone group received more additional ablative treatment (42.9% vs 14.3%, P = 0.024). The 5‐year disease‐free and cancer‐free survival rates were 79.1% vs 87.4% (P = 0.111) and 93.5% versus 87.4% (P = 0.726), respectively, and did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionsEndoscopic papillectomy followed by endoscopic surveillance showed long‐term outcomes comparable with surgical resection for early ampullary cancer and maybe curable alternative to surgery for incidentally found early‐stage ampullary cancer, especially in patients unfit for or refusing radical surgery.
An imaging mass spectrometry atlas of lipids in the human neurologically normal and Huntington’s disease caudate nucleus
Authors: Hunter Mandana , Demarais Nicholas J. , Faull Richard L. M. , Grey Angus C. , Curtis Maurice A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is a fatal disorder associated with germline trinucleotide repeat expansions in the HTT gene and characterised by striatal neurodegeneration. No efficacious interventions are available for HD, highlighting a major unmet medical need. The molecular mechanisms underlying HD are incompletely understood despite its monogenic aetiology. However, direct interactions between HTT and membrane lipids suggest that lipidomic perturbations may be implicated in the neuropathology of HD. In this study, we employed matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionisation imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI–IMS) to generate a comprehensive, unbiased and spatially resolved lipidomic atlas of the caudate nucleus (CN) in human post‐mortem tissue from neurologically normal (n = 10) and HD (n = 13) subjects. Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were used for lipid assignment. Lipidomic specialisation was observed in the grey and white matter constituents of the CN and these features were highly conserved between subjects. While the majority of lipid species were highly conserved in HD, compared to age‐matched controls, CN specimens from HD cases in our cohort spanning a range of neuropathological grades showed a lower focal abundance of the neuroprotective docosahexaenoic and adrenic acids, several cardiolipins, the ganglioside GM1 and glycerophospholipids with long polyunsaturated fatty acyls. HD cases showed a higher focal abundance of several sphingomyelins and glycerophospholipids with shorter monosaturated fatty acyls. Moreover, we demonstrate that MALDI–IMS is tractable as a primary discovery modality comparing heterogeneous human brain tissue, provided that appropriate statistical approaches are adopted. Our findings support further investigation into the potential role of lipidomic aberrations in HD.
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First fossil evidence of Palaeocarya (Engelhardioideae: Juglandaceae) from India and its biogeographical implications
Authors: Hazra Taposhi , Hazra Manoshi , Kumar Sanchita , Mahato Sumana , Bera Meghma , Bera Subir , Khan Mahasin Ali 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEven though presently indigenous to eastern Himalaya in India, no Engelhardioideae have been reported from the Cenozoic sediments of India till date. Here, we report the first Indian occurrence of a characteristic engelhardioid winged samaroid fruit having a tri‐lobed wing (oblong‐ovate median lobe and two lateral lobes) and a globose nut from the latest Neogene (Pliocene: Rajdanda Formation) sediments of Chotanagpur Plateau, eastern India. This is the first fossil evidence of relict family Juglandaceae from the Indian Cenozoic. We determine its taxonomic position on the basis of detailed macromorphological comparison with similar extant and fossil specimens and discuss its palaeoclimatic significance in terms of the present‐day distribution of modern analogous species. We assign this Pliocene winged fruit specimen to the morphogenus Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta Manchester and describe it as a new species, namely Palaeocarya indica Hazra, Hazra M & Khan sp. nov. Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta has rich fossil records from the Cenozoic sediments of Europe, North America, and eastern Asia (China, Korea), but the modern analog, Engelhardia, is presently native only to India and neighboring Southeast Asia. We discuss the possible causes of disappearance of Engelhardia from the present‐day vegetation of Chotanagpur Plateau. Its disappearance may be related to the gradual intensification of monsoonal rainfall seasonality since the Pliocene. Here, we also review in detail the biogeographic history of Palaeocarya sect. Monocosta and suggest its possible migration routes.
The Findings of the Hariri Tribunal
Authors: Salt Jeremy 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThe author analyzes the final judgment of the UN tribunal convened to inquire into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Only one of the four men originally charged was found guilty, wholly on the basis of alleged cell‐phone communications. Although Israel was known to have comprehensively penetrated the Lebanese telecommunications sector, the tribunal made no attempt to prove conclusively that the cell‐phone calls allegedly made by the accused were actually made by them and not fabricated by a third party. This significant omission undermines the authenticity of the evidence. The tribunal also failed to consider the possible involvement of two governments that have a long history of subversion and violence in Lebanon, the United States and Israel, both totally hostile to Hezbollah and the Syrian government. All of these elements combined raise serious questions about the course of the tribunal's findings from the beginning.
The New Chinese Oil Benchmark: Implications for the Middle East
Authors: Mann Yossi , Yellinek Roie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChina introduced a new oil benchmark in March 2018, part of a bid to establish its position as an economic superpower. This article analyzes the impact of this new index on the Middle East, a key region where much of the oil on which the index is based originates, by focusing on market transparency, market determination, government involvement, physical accessibility, and the internal Chinese dialogue. The article then discusses the political, financial, and economic view from the Middle Eastern perspective. It finds that China still has a long way to go before it can turn the new oil benchmark into an international standard. In addition, the Shanghai Stock Exchange was launched just before the escalation of the trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, the United States and China. While this fight could hurt the traditional indices and elevate China's new oil benchmark, the coronavirus, which has spread worldwide from China, is another factor that may affect the quality and impact of this new index.
How the Cognitive Sciences Might Contribute to the Theological Debate about Free Will
Authors: Visala Aku 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article argues that recent results of the cognitive sciences could make significant contributions to theological debates about free will, but they have been largely ignored by contemporary systematic and philosophical theologians. Recent work in cognitive psychology and moral psychology has to do with our intuitive and automatic patterns of reasoning in the domains of freedom and responsibility. This research will be relevant for many theological domains and has the potential to raise new issues and problems. The essay examines three such domains. First, the debate between intellectualist and voluntarist accounts of the will have been central in theology. Recent findings suggest that intellectualist accounts of the will have more intuitions on their side than has been previously assumed. Second, theologians have debated whether belief in free will is central for moral and political life. This question was pertinent during the Reformation when many of the reformers either rejected free will or presented truncated accounts of it. Recent results from moral psychology suggest that belief in free will has significant pro‐social and altruistic effects. Finally, the possible compatibility of divine determinism and free will is crucial for theological debates about sin, grace and God’s providence. Recent psychological results point in the direction of affirming that while most humans have strong intuitions about the incompatibility of free will and divine determinism, these might be based on a false inference. Finally, some new counterintuitive challenges about the manipulativeness of God are raised against the divine determinist position.
Effects of metformin on the osteogenesis of alveolar BMSCs from diabetic patients and implant osseointegration in rats
Authors: Sun Rongxin , Liang Chao , Sun Yujie , Xu Yifan , Geng Wei , Li Jun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the effects of metformin on osteogenic differentiation of alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (DM‐BMSCs) and implant osseointegration in rats, screen the optimal concentration, and investigate whether metformin could protect against the adverse impact of T2DM on BMSC osteogenic capacity.Subjects and methodsDifferent concentrations of metformin were administered to human‐derived BMSCs and Wistar rats receiving implants. ALP detection, alizarin red staining, real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect osteogenesis and investigate the mechanism. Toluidine blue staining was performed to analyse bone–implant contact in rats.ResultsMetformin increased implant osseointegration in a rat model and promoted the osteogenic capacity of DM‐BMSCs via the AMPK/BMP/Smad signalling pathway, and 125 μM was the optimal concentration; however, concentrations over 200 µM, metformin showed an inhibitory effect on DM‐BMSCs. Additionally, metformin at the optimal concentration (125 µM) identified in this study could compensate for the negative impacts of T2DM on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.ConclusionsMetformin can promote the osteogenesis of BMSCs from T2DM patients and osseointegration in rats, and it might be an effective drug for increasing the success rate of T2DM‐associated implants.
Incidence / predictors of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea with normal oximetry
Authors: Chuanprasitkul Chonlada , Veeravigrom Montida , Sunkonkit Kanokkarn , Tansrirattanawong Supakanya , Sritippayawan Suchada 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe polysomnogram (PSG) is the “gold standard” for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, nocturnal oximetry is a practical screening tool for children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). This study aimed to investigate the incidence of, and predictive factors for, OSA in children with ATH and normal / inconclusive overnight oximetry.MethodsThe prospective study enrolled children aged 3–15 years with ATH and normal / inconclusive overnight oximetry. All participants underwent full‐night PSG. To evaluate the predictors of OSA, we used logistic regression analysis, including sex, history of allergic rhinitis, body mass index z‐score, neck circumference–height ratio, and polysomnographic parameters (obstructive apnea–hypopnea index (OAHI), nadir oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak end‐tidal CO2, and arousal index).ResultsThe participants were 189 children; 167 (88%) were diagnosed with OSA by PSG. A history of allergic rhinitis (P = 0.033), and the PSG findings for nadir SpO2 (P = 0.027) and arousal index (P = <0.001) predicted the diagnosis of OSA. We divided patients with OSA into two groups (mild versus moderate to severe OSA). Patients with OAHI ≥5/h were defined as having moderate‐to‐severe OSA. No clinical factors significantly predicted OAHI ≥5. Of the 189 participants, 58 children (31%) were diagnosed with severe OSA (OAHI ≥10). The only PSG factor that predicted severe OSA was the arousal index (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe observed incidence of OSA in children aged 3–15 years with ATH and normal/inconclusive overnight oximetry was very high. A history of allergic rhinitis may help to triage the patients. The arousal index was a predictor of pediatric OSA.