bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost‐Sharing Increase, Medication Adherence, and Hospitalizations in Schizophrenia Patients: A Natural Experiment
Authors: Serra‐Burriel Miquel , Hurtado Isabel , Sanfélix‐Gimeno Gabriel , García‐Sempere Aníbal , Peiró Salvador 
Published: May 2021

Increases in medication cost‐sharing rates remain a controversial system‐wide cost‐containment measure for chronic mental health patients. The objective was to investigate the effects of cost‐sharing increases on adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medication and psychiatric hospitalizations among patients with schizophrenia. In July 2012, a Spanish National Law raised the cost‐sharing rate from 0 to 10% for pensioner outpatient medication while cost‐sharing remained at 0% for other socioeconomic groups. To estimate the effects of the reform, we analyzed the prevalent adult schizophrenic population of Valencia, Spain, followed up 1 year before and after the Law took effect. We used a quasi‐experimental design with a patient fixed‐effects difference‐in‐differences regression to evaluate the reform effects on antipsychotic medication adherence, prescription, and hospitalization rates. A total of 5,672 included patients were exposed to the reform, whereas 5,545 were not. There were no differences in adherence, prescription, or hospitalization rates between exposed and nonexposed patients prior to its implementation. The odds ratio of exposed patients remaining adherent to issued prescriptions after the reform took effect were 0.70 99% confidence interval (CI 0.66–0.75), in relation to the nonexposed group. Additionally, the reform was associated with a reduction in exposure to antipsychotic medication (odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 99%CI 0.83–0.88) and an increase in hospitalization risk (OR 1.13, 99% CI 1.05–1.23) during the first year after implementation. Policies raising the cost‐sharing rate of medication for patients with schizophrenia are simultaneously associated with unintended effects. We report decreases in antipsychotic exposure and increases in hospitalization rates that lasted for 1 year after follow‐up.
Overview of Chemotaxis Behavior Assays in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Queirós Libânia , Marques Carlos , Pereira Joana L. , Gonçalves Fernando J. M. , Aschner Michael , Pereira Patrícia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEnvironmental pollution related to anthropogenic pressures, and the associated repercussions on public health, represent a worldwide problem. Thus, the study of the effects that environmental contaminants can pose to natural ecosystems and human health is of vital importance. Laboratory model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans have played a significant role in clarifying multilevel effects of those agents. Although the evaluation of contaminant effects at the behavioral level of organisms is an emerging approach in ecotoxicology, studies assessing chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans within the ecotoxicological research context are still scarce. Chemotaxis studies in C. elegans have contributed to the understanding of both the neuronal mechanisms involved in the behavioral effects triggered by environmental cues and the impact of contaminants on natural ecosystems. Its compact and well‐characterized nervous system, as well as the availability of transgenic strains and molecular tools, allows a detailed examination of behavioral, molecular, and genetic chemosensation mechanisms. This overview provides a summary and general comparison of methods used to measure chemotaxis behavior in C. elegans, with the aim of helping researchers select the most suitable approach in their chemotaxis studies. We compare methods based on the type of chemical tested, advantages and drawbacks of the different approaches, and specific experimental goals. Lastly, we hope to encourage the evaluation of C. elegans chemotaxis behavior in ecotoxicology studies, as well as its potential integration in standardized protocols assessing environmental quality. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A cost‐effective and fault‐tolerant brushless direct current drive with open‐stator windings for low power electric vehicles
Authors: Patnana Hema Kumar , Veeramraju Tirumala Somasekhar 
Published: May 2021

SummaryDual‐inverter‐driven open‐end winding brushless direct current motor (OEWBLDCM) drives are amenable for the implementation of some interesting fault‐tolerant features, which could find useful applications in low power electric vehicles (EVs). The power semiconductor switching devices in the dual‐inverter system are vulnerable to the development of open‐circuit faults (OCFs) and the short‐circuit faults (SCFs). This paper investigates the possibility of imparting complete fault‐tolerant capability to EVs, which employ OEWBLDC motors for propulsion. With the proposed dynamic post‐fault reconfiguration of the power circuit and the reconnection of the battery banks, it is possible to deliver the rated (i.e., 100%) post‐fault output power to the BLDC motor, despite the failure of a power semiconductor switching device (because of either an OCF or an SCF) in the dual‐inverter system. The feasibility evaluation of the proposed fault‐tolerant drive reveals that the aforementioned objectives are realizable at an affordable hike in the raw material cost of the propulsion system. Simulation studies and Experimental verification on a laboratory prototype validate the proposed fault‐tolerant OEWBLDCM drive.
Alternating multi‐stage maximum power point tracking controlled parallelled photovoltaic systems for “solar cooker”
Authors: Atmane Ilias , El Moussaoui Noureddine , Kassmi Khalil , Deblecker Olivier , Bachiri Najib 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper we propose the control of a parallel multi‐stage photovoltaic (PV) system using a reliable and precise Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control strategy. This technique is based on the acquisition of the electrical output quantities (voltage, current, and power), common to DC/DC converters, and the control of the power switches, in alternation. In the case of two stages, during the time ti, converter 1 is regulated in real time by the MPPT control, and the second converter keeps the previous MPPT optimization parameters (ti − 1). During the following time ti + 1, converter 1 retains the previous MPPT optimization parameters (ti) and converter 2 is regulated in real time by the MPPT controller. The proposed technique is experimented on a photovoltaic system that feeds a solar cooker. This system is formed by a thermal resistance, two types of PV panels (200 and 230 W) and two DC/DC converters. Compared to the classical technique (instantaneous control), the results obtained show a significant performance and improvements: Convergence speed towards the maximum power point PPM of 48%, variations the electrical quantities gaps (current, voltage, power) at the input and output of the DC/DC converters by a factor of 2.46, electrical energy production of 4%, plate heating temperature of 27.3%, and an efficiency of 5%. The temperatures of the thermal resistances are validated by the thermal models established during this work. The improvements in DC/DC converter performance and solar cooker heating temperature are attributed, on the one hand, to the nature of the proposed MPPT control, which reduces the dispersion of electrical quantities at the input and output of the DC/DC converters, and, on the other hand, to the rapid heating of the solar cooker by the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic panels.
On the formation of spin dependent double layer structure in astrophysical plasmas
Authors: Khanum Uzma , Iqbal Zafar , Shamir Muhammad , Murtaza Ghulam 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDouble layers (DLs) are nonlinear structures, and are thought to be responsible for particle acceleration in laboratory plasmas and astrophysical plasmas. In this paper, the existence of spin dependent DLs structure is explored using separate spin evolution quantum hydrodynamic model. Based on reductive perturbation method, we derived an extended Korteweg–de Vries (eKdV) equation to demonstrate the existence and nature of DLs. We found that spin polarization significantly enhanced the amplitude of the electrostatic potential associated with DLs. Further, spin polarization also increases the depth and width of the Sagdeev potential. It is noted that the contribution of Bohm potential effect is essential for the formation of DLs structure. Our results may be helpful to explain the phenomenon of particle acceleration in dense astrophysical environments specifically in a white dwarf.
Outcome of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance in thyroid fine‐needle aspirations: A six‐year institutional experience
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Meng , Angelova Evgeniya , Clement Cecilia G. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAtypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) is one of six diagnostic categories of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC). The goal of our study is to assess the outcome of cases classified as AUS/FLUS at our institution.MethodsAUS/FLUS cases were identified by computer searching of the thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cases performed between 2010 and 2016. Outcomes were categorized as: follow‐up surgery, repeat FNA or no follow‐up available. Demographics, ultrasound findings and FNA diagnostic criteria were reviewed for AUS/FLUS cases with follow‐up surgical pathology diagnosis.ResultsOur AUS/FLUS thyroid FNA rate was 6% (117 out of 1984 FNAs). Only 15% of the AUS/FLUS cases had repeat FNA, while 41% underwent surgery. The risk of malignancy (ROM) for cases with follow‐up surgery was 17%. When considering all AUS/FLUS cases, the ROM was 7%. Statistically, benign neoplasms were more likely to be single lesions on ultrasound comparing to malignant neoplasms, and to exhibit architectural atypia as opposed to non‐neoplastic lesions on FNA. The malignancy rates among patients that directly went to surgical resection (17%) and patients having repeat FNA after the first AUS/FLUS diagnosis followed by surgery (29%) was not significantly different. However, repeat FNA was able to reclassify the majority of cases into more definitive categories.ConclusionThe outcome of the thyroid FNAs diagnosed as AUS/FLUS in our institution meets the benchmark statistics for AUS/FLUS rate and ROM. This study constitutes a valuable quality assurance measure and serves as a baseline for subsequent quality improvement.
Cytomorphology, Immunophenotype, and cytogenetic profile of leukemic serous effusions
Authors: Kaur Kanwalpreet , Patel Trupti , Patra Sanjiban , Trivedi Priti 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundSerous effusions (SE) in leukemic patients can be due to infections, therapy, volume overload, lymphatic obstruction or malignancy having implications on treatment and mortality. The objective of the present study is to highlight the spectrum of cytomorphology, immunophenotype, and cytogenetics in leukemic serous effusions (LSE).MaterialsPresent study is retrospective and descriptive. We reviewed all the SE, which were reported as suspicious or positive of leukemic infiltration from 2016 to 2019 for cytomorphological features. CSF and effusions involved by lymphomas were excluded. Cyto‐diagnosis was compared with primary proven diagnosis (by ancillary techniques) and disconcordant cases were analyzed.ResultsOut of total 9723 effusions, only 0.4% (n = 40) showed leukemic involvement and included nine cases of AML, three of B‐ALL, 13 T‐ALL, 2 MPAL, 6 CML, 5CLL, one each of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and AML with myelodysplasia. The most common site of involvement was the pleural cavity (n = 30), followed by the peritoneal cavity (n = 7) and the pericardial cavity (n = 3). T ‐ALL (41.9%) was the most common leukemia involving pleural fluid followed by AML (23.3%). CML (42.8%) was the most common leukemia involving the ascitic fluid followed by B‐ALL (28.6%). Accurate diagnosis was given on cytomorphology in 72.5% (29/40) cases and 15.0% (6/40) were reported as non‐Hodgkin lymphoma.ConclusionCytology is an effective tool available to make a diagnosis of LSE. Nuclear indentations in large atypical cells and cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm with sparse or abundant eosinophils in the background are an important clue in favor of leukemia over lymphoma.
Quantitative resistance differences between and within natural populations of Solanum chilense against the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Kahlon Parvinderdeep S. , Verin Melissa , Hückelhoven Ralph , Stam Remco 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe wild tomato species Solanum chilense is divided into geographically and genetically distinct populations that show signs of defense gene selection and differential phenotypes when challenged with several phytopathogens, including the oomycete causal agent of late blight Phytophthora infestans. To better understand the phenotypic diversity of this disease resistance in S. chilense and to assess the effect of plant genotype versus pathogen isolate, respectively, we evaluated infection frequency in a systematic approach and with large sample sizes. We studied 85 genetically distinct individuals representing nine geographically separated populations of S. chilense. This showed that differences in quantitative resistance can be observed between but also within populations at the level of individual plants. Our data also did not reveal complete immunity in any of the genotypes. We further evaluated the resistance of a subset of the plants against P. infestans isolates with diverse virulence properties. This confirmed that the relative differences in resistance phenotypes between individuals were mainly determined by the plant genotype under consideration with modest effects of pathogen isolate used in the study. Thus, our report suggests that the observed quantitative resistance against P. infestans in natural populations of a wild tomato species S. chilense is the result of basal defense responses that depend on the host genotype and are pathogen isolate‐unspecific.
Relieving efforts in palm‐tree tissue sampling for population genetics analyses
Authors: Espinoza‐Ulloa Sebastian A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The young leaves are the main source of nucleic acids for population genetic studies in palm‐trees; however, the access to this tissue may be limited by specific features of each species. Using root tissues as an alternative source of nucleic acids could facilitate the sampling in large populations.

This study tests root tissue viability as an alternative nucleic acid source (root versus. leaf) and explores different protocols (tissue storage and DNA extraction methods) to obtain high‐quality DNA samples.

The results showed no significant differences in DNA concentration (603.7 vs. 599.1 ng/μl) and quality ratios (A260/280:2.1 vs. 1.9, and A260/230:2.1 vs. 2.0) for the comparisons of tissue source (leaf vs. root) and DNA extraction method (manual vs. kit). For tissue storage method, DNA concentration was significantly higher for root tissues stored in 70% and 90% alcohol solutions (692.8 and 822.6 ng/μl, respectively) versus those obtained from leaf tissue (603.7 ng/μl); however, for the quality parameters, no differences were found.

Results showed the effective potential of using root tissue as an alternative source for nucleic acids, which could facilitate population sampling of palm‐tree species for future studies, and this methodological alternative could be applied to other plant systems with similar sampling challenges.

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A new approach for modeling delayed fire‐induced tree mortality
Authors: Maringer Janet , Hacket‐Pain Andrew , Ascoli Davide , Garbarino Matteo , Conedera Marco 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGlobal change is expanding the ecological niche of mixed‐severity fire regimes into ecosystems that have not usually been associated with wildfires, such as temperate forests and rainforests. In contrast to stand‐replacing fires, mixed‐severity fires may result in delayed tree mortality driven by secondary factors such as post‐fire environmental conditions. Because these effects vary as a function of time post‐fire, their study using commonly applied logistic regression models is challenging. Here, we propose overcoming this challenge through the application of time‐explicit survival models such as the Kaplan‐Meier (KM‐) estimator and the Cox proportional‐hazards (PH‐) model. We use data on tree mortality after mixed‐severity fires in beech forests to (1) illustrate temporal trends in the survival probabilities and the mortality hazard of beech, (2) estimate annual survival probabilities for different burn severities, and (3) consider driving factors with possible time‐dependent effects. Based on our results, we argue that the combination of KM‐estimator and Cox‐PH models have the potential of substantially improve the analysis of delayed post‐disturbance tree mortality by answering when and why tree mortality occurs. The results provide more specific information for implementing post‐fire management measures.
LaNixFe1‐xO3‐δ‐Quantum Dot/CNT Composite for High Performance Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lu Shiqing , Wang Yangchen , Han Yuqi , Zhong Ming , Yang Haidong , Su Bitao , Lei Ziqiang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRational design of active and earth‐abundant catalysts toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of particular significance for archiving highly efficient water electrolysis. Herein, a series of perovskite oxide quantum dots with abundant oxygen vacancies adhered on oxidized carbon nanotubes (LaNiXFe1‐XO3‐δ‐QDs/CNTs) were fabricated by simple sol‐gel and pyrolysis methods. The results indicate that the optimized LaNi0.3Fe0.7O2.759‐QDs/CNTs sample with adjust crystal structure, proper ratio of Ni to Fe, and desirable oxygen vacancy concentration shows a low overpotential (0.34 V at 10 mA/cm2), a low Tafel slope (74 mV dec−1), and excellent stability when it was evaluated as OER electrocatalyst. This work will shed light on the development of precious‐metal‐free catalysts with promoted catalytic performance
Bis(alkyl) Sc and Y Complexes Supported by Tri‐ and Tetradentate Amidinate Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity in α‐Olefin and Isoprene Polymerization
Authors: Rad'kova Natalia Yu. , Skvortsov Grigorii G. , Cherkasov Anton V. , Fukin Georgy K. , Kovylina Tatyana A. , Ob'edkov Anatoly M. , Trifonov Alexander A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBis(alkyl) complexes [(2,6‐Me2C6H3)NC(tBu)N(C6H4−2‐OMe)]M(CH2C6H4−2‐NMe2)2 (M=Sc (4), Y (5)), [(2‐OMe−C6H4N)2C(tBu)]Y(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)2 (6), supported by N,N,O‐tridentate (4, 5) and N,N,O,O‐tetradentate (6) amidinate ligands were synthesized by the alkane elimination approach reacting tris(alkyl) rare‐earth species M(R)3Xn (R=Me3SiCH2, X=THF, n=2; R=CH2C6H4−2‐NMe2, n=0) with one equivalent of amidine (2,6‐Me2C6H3)N=C(tBu)−NH(C6H4−2‐OMe) (1) or (2‐MeO−C6H4)N=C(tBu)−NH(C6H4−2‐OMe) (2). The reaction of amidine 2 with equimolar amount of Y(CH2C6H4−2‐NMe2)3 in toluene unexpectedly results in the addition of N,N‐dimethylaminobenzyl group to C=N bond of one amidinate fragment, ligand disproportionation and the formation of novel bis(amide)amidinate complex [(2‐OMe−C6H4N)2C(tBu)CH2C6H4−2‐NMe2]Y[(2‐OMe−C6H4N)2C(tBu)] (7). Complexes 4–6 were evaluated as catalysts for α‐olefins and isoprene polymerization.
Intermolecular Dehydrogenative C−H/Si−H Cross‐Coupling for the Synthesis of Arylbenzyl Bis(silanes)
Authors: You Lijun , Yuan Wei , He Chuan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn iridium‐catalyzed intermolecular dehydrogenative C−H/Si−H cross‐coupling reaction for the synthesis of arylbenzyl bis(silanes) is developed. This hydrosilyl group steered intermolecular C−H silylation process features high chemo‐ and regioselectivity, giving access to a wide range of multi‐functionalized organosilanes in good yields from readily available starting materials with atom economy, efficiency, and environmental benignity.
Is patriotism helpful to fight the crisis? The role of constructive patriotism, conventional patriotism, and glorification amid the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Rupar Mirjana , Jamróz‐Dolińska Katarzyna , Kołeczek Maryna , Sekerdej Maciej 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe examined the link between constructive patriotism, glorification, and conventional patriotism and COVID‐19‐related attitudes and behaviors at different stages of the pandemic in Poland. In Study 1 (N = 663), constructive patriotism was positively associated with support for internal measures (e.g., raising awareness about health practices). Glorification was negatively linked to support for such measures and positively connected to support for external measures (e.g., closing the borders). In Study 2 (N = 522), constructive patriots showed greater compliance with hygiene and social distance practices. In Study 3 (N = 633), the attribution of responsibility for fighting the crisis to the state and particularly to individuals underlined the link between constructive patriotism and compliance with health practices. Additionally, constructive patriotism was linked to support for international collaboration. Study 4 (N = 1051), conducted on a representative sample, further corroborated these findings. The results regarding conventional patriotism were not consistent across studies.
High‐status people are more individualistic and analytic‐thinking in the west and wheat‐farming areas, but not rice‐farming areas
Authors: Zhang Haotian , Talhelm Thomas , Yang Qian , Hu Chao S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrevious studies have found that high‐status people are more individualistic and think more analytically than people of lower social status. We find new evidence that this is not always the case. We tested a large sample (N = 1,418) of people across China on analytic thought and the friend–stranger distinction. In China's more individualistic wheat‐farming regions, social status patterns replicated findings from the West: high‐status people thought more analytically and drew smaller distinctions between friends and strangers. But in more interdependent rice‐farming regions, high‐status people thought more holistically and drew a larger distinction between friends and strangers. This suggests that culture shapes social status differences in thought style and individualism. The data also showed that STEM majors thought more analytically than non‐STEM majors. STEM differences in thought style were larger among older students, which is consistent with the idea that STEM training encourages analytic thinking over time.
Capacity analysis of cooperative amplify and forward multiple‐input multiple‐output systems
Authors: Eltira Khadiga , Jibreel Nareeman , Younis Abdelhamid , Mesleh Raed 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe capacity and mutual information of amplify and forward (AF) cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems with direct link are studied and analyzed in this article. Specifically, the capacities of space modulation techniques (SMTs)‐AF and spatial multiplexing (SMX)‐AF cooperative systems are derived, and the conditions under which the capacity is accomplished are discussed and interpreted. The impact of varying system and channel parameters on the capacity is studied and discussed. As well, the impact of the presence or the absence of the direct link on the capacity performance is discussed. It is revealed that the capacity can be attained if the distribution of both direct and cooperative links follow complex Gaussian distribution. The capacity of SMTs‐AF systems is shown to be higher than that of SMX‐AF counterparts. As well, the capacity of SMTs‐AF is shown to be independent of the fading channel distribution as the channel is a source of spatial symbols in SMTs. Additionally, it is disclosed that the capacity performance is significantly enhanced in the presence of the direct link and adding more AF relays enhances the performance.