bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Germany − What are the challenges?
Authors: Meyerhoff P. , Manekeller S. , Saleh N. , Boesecke C. , Schlabe S. , Wasmuth J.C. , van Bremen K. , Eis-Hübinger A.M. , von Fischer-Treuenfeld J. , Menting T. , Rockstroh J.K. , Schwarze-Zander C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (R-PEP) including wound treatment, vaccination and application of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is essential in preventing rabies mortality. Today, Germany is officially declared free from terrestrial rabies and rabies is only found in bats. However, physicians in A&E Departments are frequently consulted on the need for R-PEP. We retrospectively analysed patients who received R-PEP at the A&E Department of the University Hospital Bonn between 01.01.2013 and 30.06.2019. Demographic data, travel history, clinical and laboratory findings, previous rabies vaccinations and R-PEP vaccination regimen were recorded. During the study period, 90 patients received R-PEP at the University Hospital Bonn, in 10 cases without indication for R-PEP. Altogether, we found deviations from R-PEP guidelines in 51% (n = 41/80). Infiltration of RIG was missed in 12 patients and incorrectly administrated in 24 patients. Furthermore, vaccination scheme was incorrect in 11 patients. Correct wound washing and documentation of tetanus status was missing in 14% and 63% of patients, respectively. Despite rabies elimination in Germany patients frequently seek advice for R-PEP, the majority returning from foreign travel. Our data show that there is a high need for education on indication for R-PEP before and after travel and for implementation of precise R-PEP guidelines in daily clinical practice.
The multisystem nature of isomerism: left isomerism complicated by Abernethy malformation and portopulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ringle Megan L. , Loomba Rohit , Dykes John C. , Khan Danyal , Schidlow David , Wernovsky Gil 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIsomerism, also referred to as “heterotaxy” is a complex set of anatomic and functional perturbations. One of the most obvious manifestations of isomerism is the disturbance of organ arrangement, such that the thoracic organs are no longer asymmetric on the left and right. We report the case of a 14-year-old female in whom exercise-induced dyspnea led to a late diagnosis of left isomerism complicated by Abernethy malformation and portopulmonary hypertension. A comprehensive evaluation revealed two anatomic left lungs and hyparterial bronchi, bilateral left atria, an interrupted inferior caval vein with azygos continuation, multiple spleens, sinus node dysfunction, hepatic hypertrophy with focal nodular hyperplasia, and absence of the portal vein. Pulmonary vasodilator therapy was initiated resulting in clinical improvement. This case exhibits unique features including a late diagnosis of isomerism with Abernethy malformation and portopulmonary hypertension. The patient’s presentation, medical workup, and future treatment emphasise the importance of multidisciplinary care in children with complex multisystem disease. We review the multiple cardiac and extracardiac manifestations of isomerism.
Validation of chip grafting inoculation assay to assess the resistance of Solanum species against phytoplasma
Authors: Akhtar Khalid Pervaiz , Ullah Najeeb , Saleem Muhammad Yussouf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBig bud caused by several different phytoplasmas is an emerging threat to tomato production worldwide. The development of resistant varieties would be an effective approach to manage this problem, but it requires an appropriate screening technique. Recently, we have described a simple and efficient chip graft inoculation assay (CGIA) for the first time to screen tomato germplasm against Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus. The present study was conducted to first validate the CGIA for phytoplasma transmission, then to assess the resistance of 74 genotypes belonging to different Solanum species against 16SrII-D phytoplasma. CGIA success rate and phytoplasma transmission was 100% since all the grafts survived and phytoplasma was detected in these plants using nested polymerase chain reaction. No genotype was found resistant as all the grafted plants showed typical disease symptoms. In addition to phytoplasma transmission, CGIA can be used for better understanding the plant–phytoplasma interactions and biology of phytoplasmas in tomato.
A Machine Learning Technique for Spatial Interpolation of Solar Radiation Observations
Authors: Leirvik Thomas , Yuan Menghan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study applies statistical methods to interpolate missing values in a data set of radiative energy fluxes at the surface of Earth. We apply Random Forest (RF) and seven other conventional spatial interpolation models to a global Surface Solar Radiation (SSR) data set. We apply three categories of predictors: climatic, spatial, and time series variables. Although the first category is the most common in research, our study shows that it is actually the last two categories that are best suited to predict the response. In fact, the best spatial variable is almost 40 times more important than the best climatic variable in predicting SSR. Furthermore, the 10‐fold cross validation shows that the RF has a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 10.2 Wm−2 and a standard deviation of 1.5 Wm−2. On the other hand, the average MAE of the conventional interpolation methods is 21.3 Wm−2, which is more than twice as large as the RF method, in addition to an average standard deviation of 6.4 Wm−2, which is more than four times larger than the RF standard deviation. This highlights the benefits of using machine learning in environmental research.
Dams and Climate Interact to Alter River Flow Regimes Across the United States
Authors: Chalise Dol Raj , Sankarasubramanian A. , Ruhi Albert 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStoring and managing river flows through reservoirs could dampen or increase climate‐induced fluctuations in streamflow, but interactions between the effects of dams and climate are poorly understood. Here, we examined how dam properties control different facets of flow alteration across the coterminous United States (CONUS), and compared alteration trends between dam‐affected and reference stream gages. We quantified departures from the natural flow regime using 730 stations with long‐term daily discharge data. Dam size and purpose explained high variation in flow alteration, and alteration was particularly severe in water‐stressed regions. Importantly, regulation of river flows by dams often dampened climate‐driven alteration (48% of the flow metrics), particularly in watersheds with positive flow trends; while worsening climatic impacts in other cases (44%), or even having dual effects (8%). Our results show that dam and climate impacts on streamflow need to be assessed jointly, and based on a diverse range of flow regime facets (e.g., event magnitude and duration, frequency, and timing) instead of mean annual flows only. By pairing the USGS streamflow records available from upstream and downstream of 209 dams across the CONUS, we advance the notion that dams amplify flow alteration, but also ameliorate some flow alteration metrics. Understanding such potential and limitations is important in light of climate non‐stationarity and a new wave of damming in developing economies, and will be key to further advancing environmental flow science into the future.
The Characteristics of Summer Descending Sporadic E Layer Observed With the Ionosondes in the China Region
Authors: Qiu Lihui , Zuo Xiaomin , Yu Tao , Sun Yangyi , Liu Huixin , Sun Lingfeng , Zhao Biqiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis work statistically analyzed the characteristics of the summer descending sporadic E layers (Es) recorded at four Chinese ionospheric sounding stations of Sanya (109.4°E, 18.3°N, and I: 24.1°), Wuhan (114.4°E, 30.5°N, and I: 45.5°), Beijing (116.2°E, 40.3°N, and I: 58.7°), Mohe (122.5°E, 52.0°N, and I: 69.6°), and simulated the vertical ion convergence derived from the Horizontal Wind Model (HWM14) for the period from June 1, 2014 to August 31, 2017. Both observations and simulations show that a daytime Es layer starting at ∼120 km in the morning descends to ∼100 km in the afternoon. In addition, the descending rate of the Es layer has obvious altitude and latitude dependence. The Es layer descends faster (∼2.1 km/h) at higher altitudes (above 110 km), and meanwhile, it descends relatively slowly (∼1.5 km/h) at low altitudes (below 110 km). The mean descending rate (∼1.5–1.8 km/h) of the Es layers gradually increases from Sanya to Mohe. It is undoubtedly that the wind shear convergence nodes controlled by the atmospheric tides can drive the Es layer to move downwards. However, the simulation results in this paper show that the wind shear convergence nodes and the Es layer traces do not overlap completely, especially in the vertical direction, which suggests that wind shear cannot fully explain the details of Es layer evolution. We should pay attention to the combined effect of wind shear and metallic ion density in future research, especially in the details of the evolution of Es layer in the vertical direction.
Precursory Slow Slip and Foreshocks on Rough Faults
Authors: Cattania Camilla , Segall Paul 
Published: March 2021

AbstractForeshocks are not uncommon prior to large earthquakes, but their physical mechanism remains controversial. Two interpretations have been advanced: (1) foreshocks are driven by aseismic nucleation and (2) foreshocks are cascades, with each event triggered by earlier ones. Here, we study seismic cycles on faults with fractal roughness at wavelengths exceeding the nucleation length. We perform 2‐D quasi‐dynamic, elastic simulations of frictionally uniform rate‐state faults. Roughness leads to a range of slip behavior between system‐size ruptures, including widespread creep, localized slow slip, and microseismicity. These processes are explained by spatial variations in normal stress (σ) caused by roughness: regions with low σ tend to creep, while high σ regions remain locked until they break seismically. Foreshocks and mainshocks both initiate from the rupture of locked asperities, but mainshocks preferentially start on stronger asperities. The preseismic phase is characterized by feedback between creep and foreshocks: episodic seismic bursts break groups of nearby asperities, causing creep to accelerate, which in turns loads other asperities leading to further foreshocks. A simple analytical treatment of this mutual stress transfer, confirmed by simulations, predicts slip velocities and seismicity rates increase as 1/t, where t is the time to the mainshock. The model reproduces the observed migration of foreshocks toward the mainshock hypocenter, foreshock locations consistent with static stress changes, and the 1/t acceleration in stacked catalogs. Instead of interpreting foreshocks as either driven by coseismic stress changes or by creep, we propose that earthquake nucleation on rough faults is driven by the feedback between the two.
Heterogeneity of Aftershock Productivity Along the Mainshock Ruptures and Its Advantage in Improving Short‐Term Aftershock Forecast
Authors: Guo Yicun , Zhuang Jiancang , Zhang Huai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study introduces an improved hypocentral version of the space‐time Epidemic‐Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) model, entitled as the 3D‐finite source (3D‐FS) ETAS model, and applies it to the analysis of the Southern California earthquake catalog. By stochastic reconstruction, we are able to reconstruct the patterns of aftershock productivity density along the mainshock ruptures. Detailed analysis of the productivity patterns reveals that: (1) Directly triggered aftershocks make up 21% to 41% of all earthquakes within the mainshock rupture areas, and show significant spatial heterogeneity and temporal migrations; (2) Major aftershocks tend to locate in low productivity areas, at the edges of clusters formed by small aftershocks; (3) Large slip areas are depleted of aftershocks, over 60% of all productivity distributes in areas with slip less than 0.3 times of the maximum slip, and the trajectory of the productivity pattern on the fault plane demonstrates apparent compensation to coseismic slip. We relate the difference in triggering abilities of four mainshocks to the heat flow in corresponding regions. Simulation results suggest that the 3D‐FS ETAS model has apparent advantages of improving the performance of short‐term aftershock forecast. Moreover, the later aftershocks are more correlated with the locations of subsequent events than earlier aftershocks, suggesting that the migration of aftershocks is important for mitigating aftershock hazard.
The Seismo‐Acoustics of Submarine Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Tepp Gabrielle , Dziak Robert P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMany of the world’s volcanoes are hidden beneath the ocean’s surface where eruptions are difficult to observe. However, seismo‐acoustic signals produced by these eruptions provide a useful means of identifying active submarine volcanism. A literature survey revealed reports of 119 seismo‐acoustically recorded submarine eruptions since 1939. Submarine eruptions have been recorded in all major tectonic settings, with a range of geochemistries, and at a variety of water depths, but the reports are dominated by eruptions in the Pacific and at only a few locations. Many of the reports offer little detail, with over half of the observations made from distances >500 km, and only about half were confirmed as eruptions by non‐seismo‐acoustic evidence. The reported seismo‐acoustic signals cover a wide variety of processes, including earthquakes, explosions, various types of tremor, signals related to lava extrusion, and landslides. Recorded signals can sometimes be difficult to classify or confidently associate with an eruption, although there has been progress in this regard. Real‐time monitoring of submarine eruptions has been on‐going for several decades on regional and global scales with growing interest and effort in local networks. Real‐time networks are complemented by short‐term instrument deployments that often give more detailed insights into the dynamics and processes of submarine eruptions. Thorough seismo‐acoustic monitoring and study has increased our understanding of submarine eruptions, especially of deep‐sea volcanoes and spreading centers. Despite this, there are still many outstanding questions that need to be addressed for submarine volcanoes to be as well understood and monitored as their terrestrial counterparts.
Out‐of‐Sequence Backthrusting Since the Middle Pleistocene Revealed by the Jiangnanmiao Thrust Fault Along the Northern Tian Shan, China
Authors: Hu Guiming , Chen Jie , Zhang Weiheng , Di Ning , Li Yuehua , Li Sheng‐Hua 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTectonic wedge systems are important structures found in foreland fold‐and‐thrust belts all over the world. Although the shortening is accommodated by the backthrusts and forethrusts through a wedge tip, few works have analyzed in detail the geometry and kinematics of the surface traces and outcrops of these backthrusts. Our work focuses on the hinterland‐migrating Jiangnanmiao (JNM) Thrust Fault in the northern Tian Shan. Based on interpretations of Google Earth images, detailed geologic and geomorphic mapping, differential GPS measurements, and optically stimulated luminescence dating of offset alluvial fan and terrace surfaces, we determine the spatial extent, fault‐plane geometry, and slip rate of the JNM fault and the Qingshuihe (QSH) tectonic wedge system. Our study indicates that (i) the JNM fault is the surface‐fault trace of a bedding‐parallel backthrust, which is controlled by the QSH tectonic wedge; (ii) the QSH tectonic wedge forms by the coeval activity of the lower Southern Junggar Thrust ramp forethrusts and the north‐dipping JNM backthrust that steps up from the upper Eocene detachment; (iii) the dip‐slip rate of the JNM backthrust is ∼0.4 mm/yr and constant during ∼270–11 Kyr, and seems to increase to ∼0.8 mm/yr in the Holocene. Our study highlights the QSH wedge is a Holocene tectonically active, out‐of‐sequence thrust system, which takes up a non‐negligible portion of the total deformation across the northern Tian Shan and has a potential seismic hazard.
UV-C irradiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 replication
Authors: Biasin Mara , Bianco Andrea , Pareschi Giovanni , Cavalleri Adalberto , Cavatorta Claudia , Fenizia Claudio , Galli Paola , Lessio Luigi , Lualdi Manuela , Tombetti Enrico , Ambrosi Alessandro , Redaelli Edoardo Maria Alberto , Saulle Irma , Trabattoni Daria , Zanutta Alessio , Clerici Mario 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe potential virucidal effects of UV-C irradiation on SARS-CoV-2 were experimentally evaluated for different illumination doses and virus concentrations (1000, 5, 0.05 MOI). At a virus density comparable to that observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection, an UV-C dose of just 3.7 mJ/cm2 was sufficient to achieve a more than 3-log inactivation without any sign of viral replication. Moreover, a complete inactivation at all viral concentrations was observed with 16.9 mJ/cm2. These results could explain the epidemiological trends of COVID-19 and are important for the development of novel sterilizing methods to contain SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Identification of risk factors for retinal vascular events in a population-based cross-sectional study in Rumoi, Japan
Authors: Kinouchi Reiko , Ishiko Satoshi , Hanada Kazuomi , Hayashi Hiroki , Mikami Daiki , Yoshida Akitoshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study in Japan to identify risk factors for retinal vascular events separately by gender. Forty years or older participants were recruited. Fundus photographs were taken, and lifestyle and health characteristics were determined through a questionnaire and physical examinations. We compared the group of those who had retinal vascular events and those who did not. A total of 1689 participants (964 men) were deemed eligible for the study and retinal vascular events were seen in 59 subjects (3.7% of the men, 3.2% of the women). Self-reported diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with the vascular events in each gender [odds ratio (OR) = 6.97, 6.19 (men, women); 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.02–15.9, 2.25–17.0; p < 0.001]. Higher systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.01–1.04; p = 0.006) and lower frequency of meat consumption (OR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.54–0.99; p = 0.04) were independently associated with the vascular events in men. In women, while vascular events were associated with self-reported hypertension (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 1.03–6.74; p = 0.04), no association was seen with systolic blood pressure. Women with hypertension may need extra care, not only for blood pressure.
Experimental modulation of Interleukin 1 shows its key role in chronic kidney disease progression and anemia
Authors: Bandach Inbar , Segev Yael , Landau Daniel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is mostly due to activation of the innate immune system, in which Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a key player. Anemia of CKD may also be due to erythropoietin (EPO) resistance, clinically associated with inflammation. IL-1 receptor antagonist knockout (RaKO) mice show arthritis and excessive inflammation. Inhibition of IL-1 was shown to be beneficial in many inflammatory conditions, but its role in CKD and anemia is unknown. Here, we report that enhanced inflammation in RaKO mice with CKD provoked both higher degrees of renal insufficiency and anemia in comparison to wild-type CKD, in association with a downregulation of renal hypoxia inducible factor-2 (HIF2) as well as decreased bone marrow EPO-receptor (EPOR) and transferrin receptor (TFR). In contrast, administration of P2D7KK, an anti-IL1b monoclonal antibody, to CKD mice results in a lower grade of systemic inflammation, better renal function and blunted anemia. The latter was associated with upregulation of renal HIF-2α, bone marrow EPO-R and TFR. Altogether, this supports the key role of inflammation, and IL-1 particularly, in CKD progression and anemia. Novel treatments to reduce inflammation through this and other pathways, may improve renal function, attenuate the anemic state or increase the response to exogenous EPO.
Association of arsenic-induced cardiovascular disease susceptibility with genetic polymorphisms
Authors: Al-Forkan Mohammad , Wali Fahmida Binta , Khaleda Laila , Alam Md. Jibran , Chowdhury Rahee Hasan , Datta Amit , Rahman Md. Zillur , Hosain Nazmul , Maruf Mohammad Fazle , Chowdhury Muhammad Abdul Quaium , Hasan N. K. M. Mirazul , Shawon Injamamul Ismail , Raqib Rubhana 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure has been reported to have an impact on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, there is not much known about the cardiac tissue injury of CVD patients in relation to iAs exposure and potential role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes related to iAs metabolism, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation which may play important roles in such CVD cases. In this dual center cross-sectional study, based on the exclusion and inclusion criteria, we have recruited 50 patients out of 270, who came from known arsenic-affected and- unaffected areas of mainly Chittagong, Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions of Bangladesh and underwent open-heart surgery at the selected centers during July 2017 to June 2018. We found that the patients from arsenic affected areas contained significantly higher average iAs concentrations in their urine (6.72 ± 0.54 ppb, P = 0.028), nail (529.29 ± 38.76 ppb, P < 0.05) and cardiac tissue (4.83 ± 0.50 ppb, P < 0.05) samples. Patients’ age, sex, BMI, hypertension and diabetes status adjusted analysis showed that patients from arsenic-affected areas had significantly higher iAs concentration in cardiac tissue (2.854, 95%CI 1.017–8.012, P = 0.046) reflecting higher cardiac tissue injury among them (1.831, 95%CI 1.032–3.249, P = 0.039), which in turn allowed the analysis to assume that the iAs exposure have played a vital role in patients’ disease condition. Adjusted analysis showed significant association between urinary iAs concentration with AA (P = 0.012) and AG (P = 0.034) genotypes and cardiac iAs concentration with AA (P = 0.017) genotype of AS3MT rs10748835. The AG genotype of AS3MT rs10748835 (13.333 95%CI 1.280–138.845, P = 0.013), AA genotype of NOS3 rs3918181 (25.333 95%CI 2.065–310.757, P = 0.002), GG genotype of ICAM1 rs281432 (12.000 95%CI 1.325–108.674, P = 0.010) and AA genotype of SOD2 rs2758331 (13.333 95%CI 1.280–138.845, P = 0.013) were found significantly associated with CVD patients from arsenic-affected areas. Again, adjusted analysis showed significant association of AA genotype of AS3MT rs10748835 with CVD patients from arsenic affected areas. In comparison to the reference genotypes of the selected SNPs, AA of AS3MT 10748835, AG of NOS3 rs3918181 and AC of rs3918188, GG of ICAM1 rs281432, TT of VCAM1 rs3176867, AA of SOD2 rs2758331 and GT of APOE rs405509 significantly increased odds of cardiac tissue injury of CVD patients from arsenic affected areas. The results showed that the selected SNPs played a susceptibility role towards cardiac tissue iAs concentration and injury among CVD patients from iAs affected areas.