bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operando acoustic emission monitoring of degradation processes in lithium-ion batteries with a high-entropy oxide anode
Authors: Schweidler Simon , Dreyer Sören Lukas , Breitung Ben , Brezesinski Torsten 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn recent years, high-entropy oxides are receiving increasing attention for electrochemical energy-storage applications. Among them, the rocksalt (Co0.2Cu0.2Mg0.2Ni0.2Zn0.2)O (HEO) has been shown to be a promising high-capacity anode material. Because high-entropy oxides constitute a new class of electrode materials, systematic understanding of their behavior during ion insertion and extraction is yet to be established. Here, we probe the conversion-type HEO material in lithium half-cells by acoustic emission (AE) monitoring. Especially the clustering of AE signals allows for correlations of acoustic events with various processes. The initial cycle was found to be the most acoustically active because of solid-electrolyte interphase formation and chemo-mechanical degradation. In the subsequent cycles, AE was mainly detected during delithiation, a finding we attribute to the progressive crack formation and propagation. Overall, the data confirm that the AE technology as a non-destructive operando technique holds promise for gaining insight into the degradation processes occurring in battery cells during cycling.
Real world evidence of calcifediol or vitamin D prescription and mortality rate of COVID-19 in a retrospective cohort of hospitalized Andalusian patients
Authors: Loucera Carlos , Peña-Chilet María , Esteban-Medina Marina , Muñoyerro-Muñiz Dolores , Villegas Román , Lopez-Miranda Jose , Rodriguez-Baño Jesus , Túnez Isaac , Bouillon Roger , Dopazo Joaquin , Quesada Gomez Jose Manuel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 is a major worldwide health problem because of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality. Several lines of evidence have suggested a relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and severity of COVID-19. We present a survival study on a retrospective cohort of 15,968 patients, comprising all COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Andalusia between January and November 2020. Based on a central registry of electronic health records (the Andalusian Population Health Database, BPS), prescription of vitamin D or its metabolites within 15–30 days before hospitalization were recorded. The effect of prescription of vitamin D (metabolites) for other indication previous to the hospitalization was studied with respect to patient survival. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and hazard ratios support an association between prescription of these metabolites and patient survival. Such association was stronger for calcifediol (Hazard Ratio, HR = 0.67, with 95% confidence interval, CI, of [0.50–0.91]) than for cholecalciferol (HR = 0.75, with 95% CI of [0.61–0.91]), when prescribed 15 days prior hospitalization. Although the relation is maintained, there is a general decrease of this effect when a longer period of 30 days prior hospitalization is considered (calcifediol HR = 0.73, with 95% CI [0.57–0.95] and cholecalciferol HR = 0.88, with 95% CI [0.75, 1.03]), suggesting that association was stronger when the prescription was closer to the hospitalization.
Denaturation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein under non-thermal microwave radiation
Authors: Afaghi Pooya , Lapolla Michael Anthony , Ghandi Khashayar 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is still a widespread threat to society. The spike protein of this virus facilitates viral entry into the host cell. Here, the denaturation of the S1 subunit of this spike protein by 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation was studied quantitatively. The study only pertains to the pure electromagnetic effects by eliminating the bulk heating effect of the microwave radiation in an innovative setup that is capable of controlling the temperature of the sample at any desired intensity of the electromagnetic field. This study was performed at the internal human body temperature, 37 °C, for a relatively short amount of time under a high-power electromagnetic field. The results showed that irradiating the protein with a 700 W, 2.45 GHz electromagnetic field for 2 min can denature the protein to around 95%. In comparison, this is comparable to thermal denaturation at 75 °C for 40 min. Electromagnetic denaturation of the proteins of the virus may open doors to potential therapeutic or sanitation applications.
Stakes and expertise modulate conformity in economic choice
Authors: Greenberg Jordanne , Liljeholm Mimi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe influences of expertise and group size on an individual’s tendency to align with a majority opinion have been attributed to informational and normative conformity, respectively: Whereas the former refers to the treatment of others’ decisions as proxies for outcomes, the latter involves positive affect elicited by group membership. In this study, using a social gambling task, we pitted alignment with a high- vs. low-expertise majority against a hypothetical monetary reward, thus relating conformity to a broader literature on valuation and choice, and probed the countering influence of a high-expertise minority opinion. We found that the expertise of a countering minority group significantly modulated alignment with a low-expertise majority, but only if such alignment did not come at a cost. Conversely, participants’ knowledge of payoff probabilities predicted the degree of majority alignment only when a high-expertise majority endorsed a more costly option. Implications for the relative influences of expertise and stakes on conformity are discussed.
Characteristics and impact of aged coal ash with slag emplaced in a karst cave: the case of Divaška jama, Slovenia
Authors: Oarga-Mulec Andreea , Skok Sara , Simčič Tatjana , Mulec Janez 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA mixture of coal bottom ash and slag, with a fraction of fly ash (CAFAS) from steam locomotives, was placed in the cave Divaška jama to delimit and level tourist trails. Emplacement began in 1914 and carried on for several decades. The CAFAS mixed with other cave material gradually changed its structure and appearance. Currently the concentration of some elements in the CAFAS (As, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn), and also to a lesser extent in cave sediments (Cr, Cu, Ni), indicates a possibly harmful effect on sediment-associated biota based on ecotoxicological assays. Compared to the cave sediment, the CAFAS contains distinctly different mineral phases and presents a different source of radioactivity. Microbial metabolic activity of CAFAS is low, 0.22 μl O2/gDW h, but higher than that of cave sediment. The present environmental hazards from CAFAS are estimated to be low. Whereas the emplacement of CAFAS was seen initially a long-term solution for waste disposal and management of the cave, it turned out that CAFAS enriches the underground environment with inorganic and organic compounds and disperses pollution into the cave ecosystem. After its removal from the cave, the CAFAS should be investigated thoroughly due to its susceptibility to alteration.
Longitudinal changes in complete avascular area assessed using anterior segmental optical coherence tomography angiography in filtering trabeculectomy bleb
Authors: Kido Ai , Akagi Tadamichi , Ikeda Hanako Ohashi , Kameda Takanori , Suda Kenji , Miyake Masahiro , Hasegawa Tomoko , Numa Shogo , Tsujikawa Akitaka 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new technique for non-invasive imaging of blood vessels, allowing combined evaluation of both deep and surface vessels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the post-trabeculectomy longitudinal changes in complete avascular area (CAA) of filtering blebs using anterior segment (AS-) OCTA and their association with surgical outcomes. This study included 57 eyes of 53 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. AS-OCTA images of filtering bleb were acquired at 3 and 6 months after trabeculectomy, and at 1 month in possible cases. CAAs, regions where complete blood flow was not depicted in AS-OCTA images, were evaluated for their presence, extent, and change over time. CAAs were detected in 37 eyes (65%) and 33 eyes (58%) at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The extent of CAAs reduced over time after surgery in most cases. No parameters related to CAAs were significantly associated with surgical success (i.e., intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 12 mmHg and IOP reduction > 20% without medication). In conclusion, although it is difficult to predict surgical success by CAA itself, AS-OCTA may be useful for the objective evaluation of the vascularity of filtering blebs.
Perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of the membranes at 24–34 weeks’ gestation
Authors: Zhou Shuwei , Yang Yajun , Zhang XiaoYan , Mu Xiaoling , Quan Quan , Zhong Qimei , Mei Lingwei , Wang Lan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTo describe the perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 34 weeks’ gestation and identify factors associated with discharge without severe or moderate-severe neonatal morbidity. This study was conducted as a retrospective analysis of twin pregnancies with PPROM occurring at 24 0/7 to 33 6/7 weeks’ gestation. Perinatal outcomes were assessed by gestational age (GA) at PPROM and compared between PPROM and non PPROM twins. Factors associated with discharge without severe or moderate-severe neonatal morbidity were identified using logistic regression analysis. Of the 180 pregnancies (360 foetuses), only 17 (9.4%) women remained pregnant 7 days after PPROM. There were 10 (2.8%) cases of prenatal or neonatal death; 303 (84.2%) and 177 (49.2%) neonates were discharged without severe or moderate-severe morbidity, respectively. As GA at PPROM increased, the adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes decreased, especially after 32 weeks. There was no significant difference in general neonatal outcomes between PPROM and non PPROM twins. The GA at PPROM and latency period were both significantly associated with discharge without severe or moderate-severe neonatal morbidity. Pregnancy complications and 5-min Apgar score < 7 increased severe neonatal morbidity. As GA at PPROM increased, the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes decreased. GA at PPROM and latency period were significantly associated with discharge without severe or moderate-severe neonatal morbidity.
Determining and quantifying the historical traces of spatial land arrangements in rural landscapes of Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Prus Barbara , Dudzińska Małgorzata , Bacior Stanisław 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe article attempts to define and determine the intangible components of cultural heritage related to the spatial structure of land in a comprehensive way using computational methods. The components were quantified and a method of empirical evaluation of landscape durability was proposed for agricultural areas of significant cultural and historical value with an evident mosaic structure of fields, baulks, ponds, meadows, and forests. This method allows us to identify places more resistant to political transformation and those with greater cultural potential. The paper proposed an integrated approach to the measuring of the degree of preservation of spatial arrangements in the landscape based on a set of objects that describe the spatial land structure. The article classifies areas by the degree of preservation of rural spatial arrangements of land. The spatial analysis employed facilitated a synthetic quantification of the multi-criteria process. Three groups of factors were used: spatial assessment of land-cover type persistence (u), agricultural land structure persistence (w), and persistence of settlement buildings (z). The final results pinpointed areas in need of strategic intervention to sufficiently protect the rural cultural heritage, properly consider them in zoning planning, and ensure their sustainable development. The proposed tool can be used to monitor the degree of changes in the landscape layout structure when multiple time points are analysed as well.
Manufacturing process of short carbon fiber reinforced Al matrix with preformless and their properties
Authors: Choi Yongbum , Meng Xuan , Xu Zhefeng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe conventional manufacturing process of fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites via liquid infiltration processes, preform manufacturing using inorganic binders is essential. However, the procedure involves binder sintering, which requires high energy and long operating times. A new fabrication process without preform manufacturing is proposed to fabricate short carbon fiber (SCF)-reinforced aluminum matrix composites using a low-pressure infiltration method. To improve the wettability between fiber and matrix, fibers were plated copper using an electroless plating process. The low-pressure infiltration method with preformless succeeded in manufacturing a composite with a volume fraction of about 30% of carbon fibers.The fiber orientation of the composite material manufactured without preform and the fiber orientation of the composite material manufactured using an inorganic binder was almost the same. The manufactured composites with preformless have high hardness and high thermal conductivity.
Clinical risk factors for mortality in an analysis of 1375 patients admitted for COVID treatment
Authors: Clouston Sean A. P. , Luft Benjamin J. , Sun Edward 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe goal of the present work was to examine clinical risk factors for mortality in 1375 COVID + patients admitted to a hospital in Suffolk County, NY. Data were collated by the hospital epidemiological service for patients admitted from 3/7/2020 to 9/1/2020. Time until final discharge or death was the outcome. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate time until death among admitted patients. In total, all cases had resolved leading to 207 deaths. Length of stay was significantly longer in those who died as compared to those who did not (p = 0.007). Of patients who had been discharged, 54 were readmitted and nine subsequently died. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that in addition to older age, male sex, and a history of chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes, that a history of premorbid depression was a risk factors for COVID-19 mortality (aHR = 2.42 [1.38–4.23] P = 0.002), and that this association remained after adjusting for age and for neuropsychiatric conditions as well as medical comorbidities including cardiovascular disease and pulmonary conditions. Sex-stratified analyses revealed that associations between mortality and depression was strongest in males (aHR = 4.45 [2.04–9.72], P < 0.001), and that the association between heart failure and mortality was strongest in participants aged < 65 years old (aHR = 30.50 [9.17–101.48], P < 0.001). While an increasing number of studies have identified several comorbid medical conditions including chronic heart failure and age of patient as risk factors for mortality in COVID + patients, this study confirmed several prior reports and also noted that a history of depression is an independent risk factor for COVID-19 mortality.
Integrated metabolic and microbial analysis reveals host–microbial interactions in IgE-mediated childhood asthma
Authors: Chiu Chih-Yung , Cheng Mei-Ling , Chiang Meng-Han , Wang Chia-Jung , Tsai Ming-Han , Lin Gigin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA metabolomics-based approach to address the molecular mechanism of childhood asthma with immunoglobulin E (IgE) or allergen sensitization related to microbiome in the airways remains lacking. Fifty-three children with lowly sensitized non-atopic asthma (n = 15), highly sensitized atopic asthma (n = 13), and healthy controls (n = 25) were enrolled. Blood metabolomic analysis with 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and airway microbiome composition analysis by bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing were performed. An integrative analysis of their associations with allergen-specific IgE levels for lowly and highly sensitized asthma was also assessed. Four metabolites including tyrosine, isovalerate, glycine, and histidine were uniquely associated with lowly sensitized asthma, whereas one metabolite, acetic acid, was strongly associated with highly sensitized asthma. Metabolites associated with highly sensitized asthma (valine, isobutyric acid, and acetic acid) and lowly sensitized asthma (isovalerate, tyrosine, and histidine) were strongly correlated each other (P < 0.01). Highly sensitized asthma associated metabolites were mainly enriched in pyruvate and acetyl-CoA metabolisms. Metabolites associated with highly sensitized atopic asthma were mostly correlated with microbiota in the airways. Acetic acid, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), was negatively correlated with the genus Atopobium (P < 0.01), but positively correlated with the genus Fusobacterium (P < 0.05). In conclusion, metabolomics reveals microbes-related metabolic pathways associated with IgE responses to house dust mite allergens in childhood asthma. A strong correlation of metabolites related to highly sensitized atopic asthma with airway microbiota provides linkages between the host–microbial interactions and asthma endotypes.
Prenatal administration of IL-1Ra attenuate the neurodevelopmental impacts following non-pathogenic inflammation during pregnancy
Authors: Brien Marie-Eve , Hughes Katia , Girard Sylvie 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPrenatal inflammation negatively affects placental function, subsequently altering fetal development. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are used to mimics infections in preclinical models but rarely detected during pregnancy. Our group previously developed an animal model of prenatal exposure to uric acid (endogenous mediator), leading to growth restriction alongside IL-1-driven placental inflammation (Brien et al. in J Immunol 198(1):443–451, 2017). Unlike PAMPs, the postnatal impact of prenatal non-pathogenic inflammation is still poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the effects of prenatal uric acid exposure on postnatal neurodevelopment and the therapeutic potential of the IL-1 receptor antagonist; IL-1Ra. Uric acid induced growth restriction and placental inflammation, which IL-1Ra protected against. Postnatal evaluation of both structural and functional aspects of the brain revealed developmental changes. Both astrogliosis and microgliosis were observed in the hippocampus and white matter at postnatal day (PND)7 with IL-1Ra being protective. Decreased myelin density was observed at PND21, and reduced amount of neuronal precursor cells was observed in the Dentate Gyrus at PND35. Functionally, motor impairments were observed as evaluated with the increased time to fully turn upward (180 degrees) on the inclined plane and the pups were weaker on the grip strength test. Prenatal exposure to sterile inflammation, mimicking most clinical situation, induced growth restriction with negative impact on neurodevelopment. Targeted anti-inflammatory intervention prenatally could offer a strategy to protect brain development during pregnancy.
Rheological behavior of honey adulterated with agave, maple, corn, rice and inverted sugar syrups
Authors: Ciursa Paula , Oroian Mircea 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the influence of different adulteration agents (agave, maple, corn, rice and inverted sugar) on honey rheology. There was studied the influence of different percentages of adulteration agent on steady state and dynamic state rheology but also on rheology in the negative temperature domain. The authentic honey and adulterated ones behaved as a Newtonian fluid with a liquid-like behavior (Gʺ>>Gʹ). Regarding the physicochemical parameters analyzed (moisture and sugar content), significant changes depending on the adulteration agent/degree used were observed. The viscoelastical parameters (η*—complex viscosity, Gʹ —elastic modulus and Gʺ—viscous modulus) and glass transition temperature (Tg) were predicted in function of the chemical composition (moisture content, glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, raffinose, trehalose, turanose, melesitose, and F/G ratio) using the PLS-R (partial least square regression). All parameters analyzed had a high regression coefficient for calibration (> 0.810) and validation (> 0.790), except for the elastic modulus.
Evidence of unidirectional gene flow in a fragmented population of Salmo trutta L.
Authors: Bernaś Rafał , Wąs-Barcz Anna , Árnyasi Mariann , Dębowski Piotr , Radtke Grzegorz , Poćwierz-Kotus Anita , Berrebi Patrick 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSelection, genetic drift, and gene flow affect genetic variation within populations and genetic differences among populations. Both drift and selection tend to decrease variation within populations and increase differences among populations, whereas gene flow increases variation within populations but leads to populations being related. In brown trout (Salmo truttaL.), the most important factor in population fragmentation is disrupted river-segment connectivity. The main goal of the study was to use genetic analysis to estimate the level of gene flow among resident and migratory brown trout in potential hybridization areas located downstream of impassable barriers in one river basin in the southern Baltic Sea region. First, spawning redds were counted in the upper river basin downstream of impassable barriers. Next, samples were collected from juveniles in spawning areas located downstream of barriers and from adults downstream and upstream of barriers. Subsequently, genetic analysis was performed using a panel of 13 microsatellite loci and theSalmo trutta5 K SNP microarray. The genetic differentiation estimated between the resident form sampled upstream of the barriers and the anadromous specimens downstream of the barriers was high and significant. Analysis revealed that gene flow occurred between the two forms in the hybridization zone investigated and that isolated resident specimens shared spawning grounds with sea trout downstream of the barriers. The brown trout population from the river system investigated was slightly, internally diversified in the area accessible to migration. Simultaneously, the isolated part of the population was very different from that in the rest of the basin. The spawning areas of the anadromous form located downstream of the barriers were in a hybridization zone and gene flow was confirmed to be unidirectional. Although they constituted a small percentage, the genotypes typical upstream of the barriers were admixed downstream of them. The lack of genotypes noted upstream of the barriers among adult anadromous individuals might indicate that migrants of upstream origin and hybrids preferred residency.