bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Intrapartum Drugs with Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation: A Single-Center Retrospective Review
Authors: Mantle Ashley , Yang Michelle J. , Judkins Allison , Chanthavong Iwa , Yoder Bradley A. , Chan Belinda 
Published: October 2021

Objective Spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) occurs commonly in extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs; <30 weeks' GA). Early, concurrent neonatal use of indomethacin (Neo_IN) and hydrocortisone (Neo_HC) is a known risk for SIP. Mothers in premature labor often receive indomethacin (Mat_IN) for tocolysis and steroids (Mat_S) for fetal maturation. Coincidentally, ELGANs may receive Neo_IN or Neo_HC within the first week of life. There are limited data on the effect of combined exposures to maternal and neonatal medications. We hypothesized that proximity exposure to these medications may increase the risk of SIP.
Study Design We reviewed the medical records of ELGANs from June 2014 to December 2019 at a single level III neonatal intensive care unit. We compared antenatal and postnatal indomethacin and steroid use between neonates with and without SIP. For analysis, chi-square, Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used.
Results Among 417 ELGANs, SIP was diagnosed in 23, predominantly in neonates < 26 weeks' GA (n = 21/126, 16.7%). Risk factors analysis focused on this GA cohort in which SIP was most prevalent. Mat_IN administration within 2 days of delivery increased SIP risk (odds ratio: 3; 95% confidence interval: 1.25–7.94; p = 0.036). Neo_HC was not independently associated with SIP (p = 0.38). A higher proportion of SIP group had close temporal exposure of Mat_IN and Neo_HC compared with the non-SIP group, though not statistically significant (14 vs. 7%, p = 0.24).
Conclusion Peripartum Mat_IN was associated with increased risk for SIP in this small study sample. Larger studies are needed to further delineate SIP risk from the interaction of peripartum maternal medication with early postnatal therapies and disease pathophysiology.
Key Points
Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Well-Baby Nursery
Authors: Kocherlakota Prabhakar , Lin Lin , Gill Harsangeet , Joseph Janice , Trydal Leandra 
Published: October 2021

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with fewer deliveries and premature births; however, the impact of this pandemic on the well-baby nursery (WBN) is unknown.
Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infants admitted to the WBN by comparing pandemic and pre-pandemic cohorts.
Study Design We performed a retrospective study of infants admitted to a WBN during the pandemic period (March 18, 2020 to March 17, 2021) and compared them to those during the pre-pandemic period (March 18, 2019 to March 17, 2020). Maternal (age, parity, gestation, method of delivery, and COVID-19 status) and neonatal (sex, weight, Apgar score, feeding pattern, urine toxicology, and neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] admission) data were collected and compared between the two periods. The results were statistically analyzed, and significance was set at p <0.05.
Results There were 824 and 859 WBN admissions during the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods, respectively, a 4% decrease in WBN admissions during the pandemic period. During the pandemic period, the number of deliveries among nulliparous women increased (From 40.3% to 45.1% p = 0.01), and deliveries among multiparous women decreased (From 59.2% to 53.1% p = 0.01). The number of infants exposed to marijuana in utero increased (From 8.2% to 16.1% p = 0.035), and transfers from WBN to NICU decreased (From 9% to 6.3% p = 0.044) during the pandemic period.
Conclusion Compared with the pre-pandemic period, the number of WBN admissions, multiparous deliveries, and NICU admissions decreased, while the number of nulliparous deliveries and infants exposed to marijuana in-utero increased during the pandemic period.
Key Points
Gastric cancer incidence and mortality trends 2007–2016 in three European countries
Authors: Libânio Diogo , Rodrigues Jessica R. , Bento Maria J. , Ebigbo Alanna , Messman Helmut , Verhoeven Rob H.A. , Van Damme Nancy , Bisschops Raf , Spaander Manon C.W. , Dinis-Ribeiro Marío 
Published: October 2021

Background Increased awareness of gastric cancer risk, easy access to upper endoscopy, and high definition endoscopes with virtual chromoendoscopy may have led to the increase in early diagnosis of gastric cancer observed in recent years in Europe, which may be associated with improved survival. Currently, no data exist on the impact of early diagnosis on survival at a populational level in Europe. Our aim was to assess gastric cancer incidence, early diagnosis, and survival in northwestern and southern European countries with a low-to-moderate incidence of gastric cancer.Methods Data on 41 138 gastric cancers diagnosed in 2007–2016 were retrieved from national cancer registries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern Portugal. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were assessed and expressed per 100 000 person-years. Early diagnosis was defined as T1 tumors. Net survival estimates for 2007–2011 vs. 2012–2016 were compared.Results Age-standardized incidence and mortality decreased over time in Belgium, northern Portugal, and the Netherlands (relative incidence decrease 8.6 %, 4.5 %, and 46.8 %, respectively; relative mortality decrease 22.0 %, 30.9 %, and 50.0 %, respectively). Early gastric cancer diagnosis increased over time for all countries. Net 1-year survival improved significantly between the two time periods in all countries, and at 5 years in Belgium and Portugal.Conclusions This is the first study comparing trends (2007–2016) in gastric cancer incidence and mortality in some European countries. We found an increasing proportion of T1 gastric cancers and a decrease in age-standardized mortality over time, supporting the use of secondary prevention strategies.
[1,3]-Dithiolo-[4,5-d][1,3-dithiole]-2,5-dione
Authors: Müller Harald , Bourcet Léa 
Published: October 2021

AbstractA safe, three-step reaction sequence to [1,3]-dithiolo-[4,5-d][1,3-dithiole]-2,5-dione starting from carbon disulfide is presented. Optimized reaction conditions, rigorous purification, and full characterization of all intermediates provide reproducibly a final product of superior quality with a melting point of 181 °C (dec.).
Homeopathy for COVID-19 Prevention: Report of an Intervention at a Brazilian Service Sector Company
Authors: Daruiche Paulo Sergio Jordão , Canoas Walter Swain , Figueira Katya Aparecida Gonçalves , Peres Giovani Bravin 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Background COVID-19 quickly became a serious public health problem worldwide, with serious economic and social repercussions. Homeopaths around the world have been studying to find a genus epidemicus (GE) medicine that might help in the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Objective To compare the incidence of COVID-19 between employees who received or did not receive a homeopathic GE medicine for disease prevention.
Methods Retrospective cohort analysis. The study population comprised all employees of a service sector company in São Paulo, Brazil, and followed up by the corporate Occupational Health department. Intervention consisted of administering Arsenicum album 30cH in a one-weekly dose. Primary outcome was incidence of COVID-19 during 3-months' follow-up (April to July, 2020).
Results We analyzed 1,642 of 1,703 employees without previous diagnosis of COVID-19 at onset of the study period: 53.34% of employees were referred to telework at home and did not receive intervention (Group 1, G1); 24.66% remained working on-premises in the state of São Paulo and received the intervention (Group 2, G2); 21.98% remained working on company premises in other states and did not receive intervention (Group 3, G3). Incidence rate of COVID-19 was respectively 13.35%, 0.74%, and 67.87% (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of being infected in (1) G3 versus G1 was 13.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.21 to 18.39), (2) G3 versus G2 was 283.02 (95% CI, 88.98 to 900.18), and (3) G1 versus G2 was 20.66 (95% CI, 6.53 to 65.39).
Limitations The present is a retrospective analysis of a real-world experience. We could not ensure direct observed treatment, and neither could we control adherence to general prevention measures outside company premises.
Conclusion The incidence of COVID-19 was significantly lower amongst on-premises employees who received the GE medication in comparison to workers who did not receive the intervention (those either at other company premises or teleworking at home).
Left Main Coronary Artery Spasm: Case Report
Authors: Bodicherla Vijay Kumar , Srikakulapu Srikrishna , Nemani Lalitha 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Vasospasm of coronary artery is a well-known cause for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but left main coronary artery (LMCA) spasm is very rare. It may be iatrogenic or spontaneous. Here we report a case of a 44-year-old female who presented with chronic stable angina and experienced LMCA vasospasm while undergoing coronary angiography.
Toe Walking as the Initial Symptom of a Spinocerebellar Ataxia 13 in a Patient Presenting with a Mutation in the KCNC3 Gene
Authors: Pomarino David , Thren Johanna Ronja , Thren Anneke , Rostasy Kevin , Schoenfeldt Jan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis article at hand described a 4-year-old child patient who initially presented with the symptoms of toe walking. As part of the diagnostic process, the patient was genetically tested to find the cause of the gait anomaly. The genetic test found a mutation in the KCNC3 gene. The variant c.1268G > A; p.Arg423. His was found in a heterozygotic state. This variant is frequently described as a cause for spinocerebellar ataxia type 13 (SCA13) in the literature. Apart from toe walking as the most pronounced symptom, the patient displayed an instable gait with frequent falls and delayed speech development. The genetic test to determine the cause of the gait anomaly successfully diagnosed the patient with a previously undiscovered SCA13 and subsequently enabled the recommendation of personalized further treatment.
Data-driven modeling reveals the Western dominance of global public interest in earthquakes
Authors: Kam Jonghun , Park Jihun , Shao Wanyun , Song Junho , Kim Jinhee , Gizzi Fabrizio Terenzio , Porrini Donatella , Suh Young-Joo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractCatastrophic earthquakes stimulate information-seeking behaviors beyond the affected geographical boundaries; however, our understanding of the dynamics of global public interest in earthquakes remains limited. Herein, we harness Big Data to examine the dynamic patterns of global public interest, concerning 17 significant worldwide earthquakes over 2004–2019. We find that the global community shows a higher level of interest when an earthquake occurs in developed countries than in developing countries; however, they lose their interest in the former more rapidly than the latter. Regardless of the affected nation, there is a one- to two-week “golden” time window when attention can be leveraged for fundraising and humanitarian aid. Our findings suggest that European citizens who are highly interested in earthquakes emerge as a potential key community to achieve great inclusiveness in policy interventions to solicit international aid. The findings of this study hint at how Big Data can be utilized to identify “time windows of opportunities” for international humanitarian organizations to efficiently raise donations, charities, and aid resources around the world.
Soil moisture impacts nitrification from nitrogen fertilisers treated with 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate in acidic soils
Authors: Kaveney Brooke , Condon Jason , Doran Gregory , Galea Francesca , Rigg Jessica 
Published: October 2021

Context Success of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is dependent on a range of soil factors including pH and soil organic carbon (OC) content. Aims This study identified the effect of soil properties and moisture content at the time of DMPP application on the efficiency of DMPP and soil mineral N concentrations. Methods Soil was collected from paired paddocks with contrasting management, cropping or pasture across three sites. Soil samples were pre-incubated for 7 days with moist (−85 kPa) or air dried soil to simulate sowing into soil with moisture equivalents of post seasonal break or dry sowing. Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) was applied with and without DMPP to all soils. Key results DMPP inhibited nitrification in all soils, although decreased inhibitory effectiveness was observed in acidic soils compared to neutral soils. Inhibition efficacy on acidic soils was improved when DMPP was applied to dry rather than wet soils. Neutral soils did not observe the same soil moisture effect having similar inhibition efficiency of DMPP observed between dry and wet soil application. Nitrogen fertilisers applied to dry soils nitrified at a greater rate than when applied to wet soils. DMPP decreased the ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) population while the ammonia oxidising archaea (AOA) amoA gene copy numbers were unaffected. Conclusions This study shows that the lower soil pH and high OC contents can reduce the efficacy of DMPP. Implications When using DMPP in Australian broad acre agriculture, knowledge of soil properties including soil pH will determine if application of DMPP is suitable for use before or after a seasonal break rainfall event.
Importance of impedance spectroscopy in self-assembled monolayer-based large-area tunnel junctions
Authors: Francis Jaismon , Bassam S A , Sangeeth C S Suchand 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Two-terminal direct current (DC) measurements are generally used for the electrical characterization of self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-based large-area tunnel junctions. In DC measurements, the total current through the molecular junction is measured and it is thus impossible to separate molecular effects from interface effects. The charge transport parameters are derived indirectly from the current–voltage relationship. For instance, contact resistance at the interface between the electrode and SAMs is estimated by extrapolating the resistance versus chain length curve. On the other hand, through impedance spectroscopy along with equivalent circuit modelling, each component of the junction can be determined. This paper compares the contact resistance values estimated using both DC and impedance spectroscopic data of alkanethiolate SAM-based molecular junctions reported previously. We show that in the case of molecular tunnel junctions with a resistive protective layer (PL), the widely used DC measurements alone fail to show the actual molecular behaviour of the junction as the charge transport through the junction is dominated by the PL itself. We also show that contact resistance estimated from the DC measurements on defective SAM junctions can be wrong and leads to the incorrect transport mechanism, while the impedance measurements estimate the actual values of contact resistance and identify the bottlenecks in charge transport through such a defective molecular junction.
Ion trapping model of the ac conductivity in disordered solids
Authors: Khamzin A A , Nikitin A S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we develop an approach based on ions trapping to describe the conductivity spectra in disordered solids. Applying the multiple trapping model and the diffusion equation for ions, we obtained a new expression for the ac conductivity, which allows us to describe the conductivity spectra in wide ranges of frequencies and temperatures. In the high-temperature region, the new expression for the ac conductivity reproduces the Jonscher behavior, and with decreasing temperatures transforms into an expression of the NCL-type. A new expression for the ac conductivity was successfully tested on the conductivity spectra of ion-conducting glasses.
Robust gas recognition with mixed interference using a spiking neural network
Authors: Peng Cheng , Zheng Yangong 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have attracted significant interest owing to their high computing efficiency. However, few studies have focused on the robustness of SNNs and their application to electronic noses for gas recognition under strong interference. The goal of this study was to explore the robustness of a SNN for gas recognition under mixed interference. Data on mixed gases with different levels of interference were simulated by fitting experimental data. Two layers of a SNN based on leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons were constructed and the network was trained solely on datasets of pure targeted gases. Testing was then performed using data with mixed interference. The SNN achieved superior performance compared to other algorithms and remained 100% accurate for gas recognition up to a 10% interference ratio. The interval distance of spiking times between classes represents the robust capacity of the SNN according to the algorithm of the LIF neurons. SNNs have excellent capacity to maximize the differences between data of different classes and are promising candidates for electronic noses.
In-situ electrochemical polymerization of aniline on flexible conductive substrates for supercapacitors and non-enzymatic ascorbic acid sensors
Authors: Liu Hui , Tao You , Sun Huijuan , Wang Tian-Xiong , Peng Zhisheng , Jin Jiyou , Wang Zhongpu , Peng Kang , Wei Haonan , Li Yong Jun , Han Bao-Hang , Sun Lianfeng 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Polyaniline, as a kind of conductive polymer with commercial application prospects, is still under researches in its synthesis and applications. In this work, polyaniline was fabricated on flexible substrates including carbon cloths and polyethylene naphthalate by in situ electropolymerization method. The synthesized flexible electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, High resolution transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, Fourier transform infrared, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Owing to the conductivity and the reversible redox property, the polyaniline/carbon cloth electrodes show excellent properties such as decent supercapacitor performance and good detection capability toward ascorbic acid. As supercapacitors, the electrodes exhibit a specific capacitance as high as 776 F g–1 at a current density of 1 A g–1 and a long cycle life of 20 000 times in the three-electrode system. As ascorbic acid sensors, the flexible electrodes demonstrate stable response to ascorbic acid in the range of 1–3000 μM with an outstanding sensitivity (4228 μA mM–1 cm–2), low detection limit (1 μM), and a fast response time. This work holds promise for high-performance and low-cost flexible electrodes for both supercapacitors and non-enzymatic ascorbic acid sensors, and may inspire inventions of self-powered electrochemical sensor.
Energy estimates and convergence of weak solutions of the porous medium equation
Authors: De Paula R , Gonçalves P , Neumann A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
We study the convergence of the weak solution of the porous medium equation with a type of Robin boundary conditions, by tuning a parameter either to zero or to infinity. The convergence is in the strong sense, with respect to the L
2-norm, and the limiting function solves the same equation with Neumann (resp. Dirichlet) boundary conditions when the parameter is taken to zero (resp. infinity). Our approach is to consider an underlying microscopic dynamics whose space–time evolution of the density is ruled by the solution of those equations and from this, we derive sufficiently strong energy estimates which are the keystone to the proof of our convergence result.
High-performance voltage controlled multilevel MRAM cell
Authors: Nisar Arshid , Dhull Seema , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar , Mittal Sparsh 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
In the recent past, spin-transfer torque (STT) and spin-orbit torque (SOT) based magnetic random access memories (MRAMs) have been studied for future energy efficient and non-volatile memory applications. Multilevel cell (MLC) design has emerged as one of the promising solutions to enhance the storage density of these MRAMs. However, the conventional MLC design adds a larger magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack that makes it difficult to maintain low switching current and high speed. Moreover, it becomes very difficult to reduce the driver transistor size. This paper describes the application of voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy effect to design energy efficient and fast MLC MRAM cell. So far, this approach has been reported only in single-bit MTJ devices. In the proposed MLC the voltage control is able to reduce both SOT and STT switching currents. The results show that the voltage control in MLC enhances energy efficiency and switching speed by more than 80 times and 3 times, respectively, in comparison to conventional SOT based MLCs. The reduction in switching currents also achieves smaller transistor size and enhances area efficiency by 3.5% as compared to conventional SOT-MLC. The effect of different channel materials on SOT switching current has also been explored. Furthermore, the system level evaluation shows that voltage controlled MLC outperforms STT-MRAM and SOT-MRAM for designing cache memory.
The flexible bandpass filter on polyimide substrate for wireless communications systems
Authors: Gong Junshuai , Wang Zhiliang , Qu Huiwen , Cang Dingyong 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
A coplanar waveguide flexible filter based on the polyimide substrate was fabricated by self-metallization technology. The measured results indicate that the central frequency of the proposed filter is 2.5 GHz, the minimum insertion loss is −0.71 dB and the return loss is better than −20 dB. To test the conformal characteristics of the filter, bending and folding tests were performed. The test results show that the measured and simulated results are basically the same when the filter is bent and folded. The flexible filter fabricated by self-metallization technology is expected to be one of the components of future flexible wireless communication systems.
Design and optimization of isotropic stretchable strain sensors for multidirectional monitoring
Authors: Wang Guishan , Liu Ying , Xu Fangsong , Liu Guanjun , Qiu Jing 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Multidirectional monitoring is highly expectable for stretchable strain sensors by which the randomly orientated cracks or the maximum strain of all directions need to be accommodated. Many current types of research exploit laminated sensors and rosette designs to obtain the desired behavior in several discrete directions. However, this can lead to complex fabricating and resolving processes, as well as significant measurement errors. Our work proposes an isotropic stretchable strain (ISS) sensor that utilizes the in-plane curved sensing film from graphene/silver nanowires (AgNWs), which exhibits uniform sensitivity in all directions within 30∘ and the potential extending to 360∘. The ISS sensor, whose curved shape is optimized based on splines and the quantitative sensing model, is fabricated by a flash stamp machine and followed by vacuum filtration. Experimental results show that the ISS sensor possesses equivalent sensing properties in 30∘ with excellent linearity and durability. Thus our customized sensor is applied to multidirectionally monitor the stretchable surface without consideration for the sensor orientation and the resolving process. Most importantly, the ISS sensor and its design method provide an efficient route for future sensor design with expected properties, not limited to isotropy.