bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infections in the era of genomic medicine
Authors: Shetty Seema , Kouskouti Christina , Schoen Uwe , Evangelatos Nikolaos , Vishwanath Shashidhar , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu , Kainer Franz , Brand Angela 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeChlamydial genital infections constitute significant sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The often asymptomatic status ofC. trachomatis(CT) infections leads to an increased burden on human reproductive health, especially in middle- and low-income settings. Early detection and management of these infections could play a decisive role in controlling this public health burden. The objective of this review is to provide an insight into the evolution of diagnostic methods for CT infections through the development of new molecular technologies, emphasizing on -omics’ technologies and their significance as diagnostic tools both for effective patient management and control of disease transmission.MethodsNarrative review of the diagnostic methodologies of CT infections and the impact of the introduction of -omics’ technologies on their diagnosis by review of the literature.ResultsVarious methodologies are discussed with respect to working principles, required specifications, advantages, and disadvantages. Implementing the most accurate methods in diagnosis is highlighted as the cornerstone in managing CT infections.ConclusionDiagnostics based on -omics’ technologies are considered to be the most pertinent modalities in CT testing when compared to other available methods. There is a need to modify these effective and accurate diagnostic tools in order to render them more available and feasible in all settings, especially aiming on turning them to rapid point-of-care tests for effective patient management and disease control.
Synchrotron X-ray microtomography and multifractal analysis for the characterization of pore structure and distribution in softwood pellet biochar
Authors: Srocke Franziska , Han Liwen , Dutilleul Pierre , Xiao Xianghui , Smith Donald L. , Mašek Ondřej 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBiochar pores in the micrometer range (1–100 µm) derive from cellular structures of the plant biomass subjected to pyrolysis or can be the result of mechanical processing, such as pelleting. In this study, synchrotron X-ray microtomography was used to investigate the internal pore structure of softwood pellet biochar produced by slow pyrolysis at 550 and 700 °C. The microtomographic data sets consisted of 2025 images of 2560 × 2560 voxels with a voxel side length of 0.87 µm. The three-dimensional reconstructions revealed that pelleting and pyrolysis significantly altered the pore structures of the wood feedstock, creating a network of connected pores between fragments that resembled the wood morphology. While higher pyrolysis temperature increased the specific surface area (as determined by BET nitrogen adsorption), it did not affect the total observed porosity. Multifractal analysis was applied to assess the characteristics of the frequency distribution of pores along each of the three dimensions of reconstructed images of five softwood pellet biochar samples. The resulting singularity and Rényi spectra (generalized dimensions) indicated that the distribution of porosity had monofractal scaling behavior, was homogeneous within the analyzed volumes and consistent between replicate samples. Moreover, the pore distributions were isotropic (direction-independent), which is in strong contrast with the anisotropic pore structure of wood. As pores at the scale analyzed in this study are relevant, for example, for the supply of plant accessible water and habitable space for microorganisms, our findings combined with the ability to reproduce biochar with such pore distribution offer substantial advantages in various biochar applications.
Attachment and Sexual Functioning: Understanding the Mediating Role of Body Image Among LGB and Non-LGB Women
Authors: Gewirtz-Meydan Ateret , Mitchell Kimberly J. , Spivak-Lavi Zohar 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONDespite studies showing that individuals with insecure attachment suffer from poor body image, and that poor body image is a main risk factor for sexual dysfunction, the mediating role of body image between attachment insecurities and sexual functioning has not been assessed. Moreover, differences in body self-consciousness among sexual minority women have not been examined, even though LGB individuals have been found to be more conscious of stigma and the disapproval of others.AimTo fill this gap, the current study examines the mediating role of body image self-consciousness between insecure attachment and sexual functioning among LGB and non-LGB women.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 1,001 women; of them, 808 defined themselves as heterosexual (80.7%), and 193 (19.3%) identified as LGB. The sample was a convenience sample of women who responded to ads on social media. Participants completed an online questionnaire (via Qualtrics) about their attachment orientation, body-image self-consciousness, and sexual functioning.Main OutcomeBody image self-consciousness mediated the relationship between insecure attachment and sexual dysfunction among women in general and LGB women in particular.RESULTSResults indicated that among LGB women, the relationship between attachment and sexual functioning was fully mediated by body image self-consciousness. For non-LGB women, a full model with statistically significant direct and indirect effects was revealed. Both avoidant attachment and anxious attachment were related to body image self-consciousness which was, in turn, related to sexual functioning. A statistically significant direct path from avoidant attachment to sexual functioning was also revealed.CONCLUSIONThe study findings contribute to the literature by revealing the mediating role that body image self-consciousness plays between insecure attachment and sexual dysfunction among women in general and LGB women in particular.Clinical ImplicationsThis study provides support for the negative relationship between body image self-consciousness and sexual functioning of women regardless of sexual orientation, and suggests that women affected by body image concerns might be prone to more sexual dysfunction. Therefore, body image self-consciousness should be brought up in sex therapy sessions and future interventions. Clinicians should also be cognizant of differences between LGB and non-LGB women in terms of this effect, taking into account the history of stigma that LGB women may have endured and how this history affects their body image.
EU Operational Powers and Legal Protection: A Legal Theory Perspective on the Operational Powers of the European Border and Coast Guard
Authors: Schotel Bas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFor the first time in its history, the EU is in the process of acquiring significant and genuine permanent operational powers. A new Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard provides Frontex with a permanent corps of 10,000 border guards—3,000 of which will be EU agents—its own equipment, and its own competences to intervene along the EU borders and beyond. The operational powers will allow the EU to directly and physically intervene in tangible reality.This Article argues that the conferral of operational powers on the EU poses a risk to individual legal protection. This is because once authorities have acquired operational powers of a certain extent and quality, they can afford to act against or without the law by simply overpowering or eluding the legal mechanisms that normally constrain the exercise of public power. So far, Members of the European Parliament and academics critical of Frontex and the new Regulation have overlooked this issue and concentrated exclusively on how to legally constrain the exercise of operational powers. This Article addresses this blind spot by examining whether and how public law should place legal constraints not only on the exercise but also on the build-up of operational powers.
Impact on quantitative fit-test results after application of prophylactic hydrocolloid dressing under N95 respirators
Authors: Ng Irene , Kave Benjamin , Begg Fiona , Sage Sarah , Segal Reny , Williams Daryl L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjective:Discomfort and device-related pressure injury (DRPI) caused by N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are common. The use of prophylactic hydrocolloid dressings is one of the strategies that may improve comfort and reduce DRPI. In this study, we investigated the impact of these dressings on N95 respirator fit.Methods:We performed a repeat quantitative fit testing through the Respiratory Protection Program on 134 healthcare workers (HCWs), who applied hydrocolloid dressings on the bridge of their nose under the N95 FFRs that they passed the initial fit test with, but reported discomfort with the FFR.Results:With the hydrocolloid dressings in place, the fit-test pass rate for the semirigid cup style (3M 1860) was 94% (108 of 115); for the the vertical flat-fold style (BYD), the pass rate was 85% (44 of 52); for the duckbill style (BSN medical ProShield and Halyard Fluidshield), the pass rate was 81% (87 of 108); and for the 3-panel flat-fold style (3M Aura) N95 FFRs, the pass rate was 100% (3 of 3). There was a statistically significant reduction in the overall fit factors for both the vertical flat-fold and duckbill type N95 respirators after the application of hydrocolloid dressings.Conclusions:Hydrocolloid dressings are likely to disturb the mask seal for nonrigid-style N95 FFRs, particularly the vertical flat-fold style and the duckbill style N95 FFRs. Given the risk of mask seal disturbance of N95 respirators as shown in this study, we advocate that any HCW requiring the use of prophylactic dressings should undergo repeat quantitative fit testing with the dressing in place prior to using the dressing and mask in combination.
Couplings for determinantal point processes and their reduced Palm distributions with a view to quantifying repulsiveness
Authors: Møller Jesper , O’Reilly Eliza 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFor a determinantal point process (DPP) X with a kernel K whose spectrum is strictly less than one, André Goldman has established a coupling to its reduced Palm process $X^u$ at a point u with $K(u,u)>0$ so that, almost surely, $X^u$ is obtained by removing a finite number of points from X. We sharpen this result, assuming weaker conditions and establishing that $X^u$ can be obtained by removing at most one point from X, where we specify the distribution of the difference $\xi_u: = X\setminus X^u$. This is used to discuss the degree of repulsiveness in DPPs in terms of $\xi_u$, including Ginibre point processes and other specific parametric models for DPPs.
Population dynamics driven by truncated stable processes with Markovian switching
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhong , Tong Jinying , Meng Qingting , Liang You 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe focus on the population dynamics driven by two classes of truncated $\alpha$-stable processes with Markovian switching. Almost necessary and sufficient conditions for the ergodicity of the proposed models are provided. Also, these results illustrate the impact on ergodicity and extinct conditions as the parameter $\alpha$ tends to 2.
On classes of life distributions based on the mean time to failure function
Authors: Khan Ruhul Ali , Bhattacharyya Dhrubasish , Mitra Murari 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe performance and effectiveness of an age replacement policy can be assessed by its mean time to failure (MTTF) function. We develop shock model theory in different scenarios for classes of life distributions based on the MTTF function where the probabilities $\bar{P}_k$ of surviving the first k shocks are assumed to have discrete DMTTF, IMTTF and IDMTTF properties. The cumulative damage model of A-Hameed and Proschan [1] is studied in this context and analogous results are established. Weak convergence and moment convergence issues within the IDMTTF class of life distributions are explored. The preservation of the IDMTTF property under some basic reliability operations is also investigated. Finally we show that the intersection of IDMRL and IDMTTF classes contains the BFR family and establish results outlining the positions of various non-monotonic ageing classes in the hierarchy.
COMMUTING PROBABILITY OF COMPACT GROUPS
Authors: ABDOLLAHI ALIREZA , MALEKAN MEISAM SOLEIMANI 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFor any (Hausdorff) compact group G, denote by
$\mathrm{cp}(G)$
the probability that a randomly chosen pair of elements of G commute. We prove that there exists a finite group H such that
$\mathrm{cp}(G)= {\mathrm{cp}(H)}/{|G:F|^2}$
, where F is the FC-centre of G and H is isoclinic to F with
$\mathrm{cp}(F)=\mathrm{cp}(H)$
whenever
$\mathrm{cp}(G)>0$
. In addition, we prove that a compact group G with
$\mathrm{cp}(G)>\tfrac {3}{40}$
is either solvable or isomorphic to
$A_5 \times Z(G)$
, where
$A_5$
denotes the alternating group of degree five and the centre
$Z(G)$
of G contains the identity component of G.
Intelligent optimal control considering dynamic posture compensation for a cantilever roadheader
Authors: Fang Lixia , Liu Zhigang , Wu Miao 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe control of dynamic spatial posture for cantilever roadheader is one of the vital problems for intelligent mining, which directly affect the forming quality of cutting tunnel. Therefore, this paper proposed an intelligent optimal combination compensation strategy to adjust the real-time dynamic posture of cantilever roadheader. First, based on the topological structure analysis of cantilever roadheader, the structural loop compensation model for spatial posture deviation was established. Afterward, the principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm were applied to improve the analysis speed and accuracy of posture deviation. Finally, parallel dynamic cooperative optimization (PDCO) strategy was combined to achieve the accurate adjusting of posture deviation. The actual experimental and application results indicate that the intelligent optimal combination compensation strategy proposed in the paper can significantly improve the accuracy of the cutting tunnel. The intelligent optimal compensation strategy proposed in this paper transforms the transient spatial posture deviation into structural loop compensation, and implements by parallel cooperative strategy, finally to realize the fast analysis and efficient implementation of spatial dynamic posture deviation for cantilever roadheader during cutting process. The work of this paper provides an effective reference for intelligent deep and remote underground mining, and it can also be applied to effective control of dynamic spatial posture for intelligent engineering machinery products.
THE INFLUENCE OF ORTHOGRAPHY ON ORAL VOCABULARY ACQUISITION IN LEARNERS OF CHINESE AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
Authors: Zhang Jie , Li Hong , Liu Yang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe present study investigated the effects of exposure to Chinese orthography on learning phonological forms of new words in learners of Chinese as a second language. A total of 30 adult learners of Chinese studied spoken label and picture associations presented either with phonologically accurate characters, characters with partial phonological information, or no orthography. Half the phonologically accurate or partially accurate characters were semantically transparent or opaque. Spoken labels were recalled without orthography presence. Results showed that exposure to phonologically accurate and semantically transparent characters during learning did not enhance the recall of the spoken labels compared to no orthography. But exposure to characters with partial phonological information and semantically opaque characters significantly hindered vocabulary learning. The implications for Chinese as a second language vocabulary acquisition and instruction are discussed.
The effect of conservation policies on wildlife hunting and consumption in north-eastern Madagascar
Authors: Randriamady Hervet J , Park Seollee , Andrianarimanana Danamona , Berobia Abdy , Golden Christopher D 
Published: June 2021

SummaryThe Makira Natural Park (Makira) is the largest terrestrial protected area in Madagascar, supporting nearly 200,000 people living around the park, who derive a significant proportion of their animal-source foods from hunting. Makira is currently managed with three different policies: (1) traditional management with no external assistance; (2) community-based forest management (Gestion Contractualisée des Forêts; GCF) with non-governmental support and externally developed policies; and (3) strict external management policies (Zone d’Occupation Controlée; ZOC), meaning a zone of controlled residence for communities inside the core protected area. Here, we longitudinally assess the impacts of these policies on wildlife hunting and consumption by using a difference-in-differences method to evaluate policy efficacy. We found that externally developed conservation policies led to drastically reduced wildlife hunting and consumption in Makira. We also found that public education in the form of environmental awareness-raising, conducted 1 year before adoption, led to a greater concealment of hunting behaviours. Overall, wildlife hunting and consumption have decreased in the Makira region since the adoption of GCF and ZOC policies and could be effective at reducing the unsustainable wildlife hunting across the Makira, particularly when supported by economic development and the creation of alternative sources of livelihood and food.
Paternal hypoxia exposure impairs fertilization process and preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Tao Hai-Ping , Jia Gong-Xue , Zhang Xiao-Na , Wang Yu-Jun , Li Bin-Ye , Yang Qi-En 
Published: June 2021

SummaryEnvironmental hypoxia exposure causes fertility problems in human and animals. Compelling evidence suggests that chronic hypoxia impairs spermatogenesis and reduces sperm motility. However, it is unclear whether paternal hypoxic exposure affects fertilization and early embryo development. In the present study, we exposed male mice to high altitude (3200 m above sea level) for 7 or 60 days to evaluate the effects of hypoxia on sperm quality, zygotic DNA methylation and blastocyst formation. Compared with age-matched controls, hypoxia-treated males exhibited reduced fertility after mating with normoxic females as a result of defects in sperm motility and function. Results ofin vitrofertilization (IVF) experiments revealed that 60 days’ exposure significantly reduced cleavage and blastocyst rates by 30% and 70%, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of pronuclear formation indicated that the pronuclear formation process was disturbed and expression of imprinted genes was reduced in early embryos after paternal hypoxia. Overall, the findings of this study suggested that exposing male mice to hypoxia impaired sperm function and affected key events during early embryo development in mammals.
The Most Metal-Rich Dwarf Stars in the Galactic Disk
Authors: Feltzing Sofia 
Published: June 2021

The metal-rich dwarf stars in the solar neighbourhood have historically not attracted as much attention as the metal-poor (halo) stars which tell us about the early phases of the chemical evolution of our galaxy. The properties of metal-rich stars are highly important when we try to interpret integrated spectra from metal-rich stellar populations, such as the Bulge and elliptical galaxies. A small group of so called super metal rich stars (SMR) have played a significant role in shaping the conceptions of such populations. Famous examples are the dwarf HR1614 and the giant μ Leonis. In the review by Taylor (1996) SMR stars are discussed in great detail, in particular the reality of extremly high [Fe/H]. Taylor (1996) find that no giant stars fulfil the criteria fulr SMR-ness that he sets and only a handful of dwarf stars do, and most of them are possible candidates rather than firm detections.A few recent studies have studied known SMR candidates and stars with high [M/H] (as derived from photometry), Feltzing & Gustafsson (1997), Castro et al. (1997), Gonzalez (1997), McWilliam & Rich (1994), Castro et al. (1996). A first conclusion is that there are indeed quite a few stars with [Fe/H] > 0.2 dex (the definition of SMR, see Taylor 1996). We will here review these studies in some detail.The combination of abundance ratios with kinematical data can detail the picture even further. For example we can study stars on highly eccentric orbits which trace the evolution in the galactic disk closer to the galctic centre. Not much is known about these stars but we did have some very intriguing observations; Barbuy & Grenon (1990) (hereafter BG90) found that dwarf stars on very eccentric orbits contained much more oxygen than what was expected from standard models of galactic chemical evolution of the disk, Edvardsson et al.(1993) (hereafter E93) found large spreads and “upturns” for certain elements, Na, Si, Ti, Al, for stars with 0.0dex < [Fe/H] < 0.2 dex.
The Low-Mass Stellar Luminosity Function of the 30 Dor Starburst Cluster
Authors: Zinnecker Hans 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDiffraction limited near-infrared H-band (1.6 μm) NICMOS HST images are scheduled to be obtained in mid-October 1997 of the young cluster NGC 2070 (age 3.5 Myr) in the 30 Dor giant HII region in the LMC. The aim is to search for the low-mass (M < 2 Mʘ) low-luminosity, red pre-Main Sequence stellar population and to establish the H-band infrared luminosity function. With the NICMOS we can now determine whether the IMF in this prototypical extragalactic starburst cluster is deficient in subsolar low-mass stars or not. The best ground-based data can sample only M > 2 Mʘ. In principle, NICMOS in the H-band (F160W) is sensitive enough to reach a magnitude of ~ 23.5 in a relatively short integration time, which indeed corresponds to the fantastic possibility to detect young stellar objects with masses near the hydrogen burning limit (M=0.1 Mʘ) according to pre-Main Sequence evolutionary models. Even if we could reach only H = 22.5 (i.e. M=0.4 Mʘ), our observations will still go a long way in directly answering, by star counts, whether the IMF in starburst galaxies is low-mass deficient or not, with all the corresponding far-reaching implications.The observations would also tell us whether the 30 Dor cluster can be regarded as a prototype young globular cluster. This possibility would be ruled out, if we found NGC 2070 to be low-mass deficient, because old globular clusters do have a rich population of low-mass stars.