bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of TRPM8 channel inhibits contraction of the isolated human ureter
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Liu Lei , Zhao Mengmeng , Ding Ning , Ge Nan , Daugherty Stephanie L. , Beckel Jonathan M. , Wang Shaoyong , Zhang Xiulin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsThe transient receptor potential melastin‐8 (TRPM8) channel is a “cooling” receptor expressed in primary sensory neurons and can be activated by compounds like menthol or icilin. TRPM8 is involved in the regulation of urinary bladder sensory function and contraction, but the role of TRPM8 in the ureter, particularly in the human ureter, is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of TRPM8 activation on human ureter contraction.MethodsHuman ureters were acquired from 20 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. Contractions of ureter strips were recorded by an isometric transducer in the organ bath. Ureteral TRPM8 expression in the human ureter was examined by immunofluorescence and western blot.ResultsThe two TRPM8 agonists menthol and icilin both reduced the frequency of spontaneous, electrical field stimulation, or neurokinin A‐evoked ureteral contractions in a dose‐dependent manner. The inhibitory effects were decreased by 10‐fold in mucosa‐denuded strips. The inhibitory effects of TRPM8 agonists were mimicked by calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), and were blocked by KRP2579 (a TRPM8 antagonist), tetrodotoxin (a sodium channel blocker), olcegepant (BIBN, a CGRP receptor antagonist), SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase antagonist), or H89 (a nonspecific cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A inhibitor). TRPM8 was coexpressed with CGRP on the nerves located in the suburothelial and intermuscular regions and was not expressed in the urothelium.ConclusionsThe TRPM8 channel expressed on sensory nerve terminals of the human ureter is involved in the inhibitory sensory neurotransmission and modulate ureter contraction via the CGRP–adenylyl cyclase–protein kinase A pathway. TRPM8 may be involved in stone‐induced changes in ureter contraction or pain.
Urethral bulking agents for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A systematic review
Authors: Hoe Venetia , Haller Britt , Yao Henry H. , O'Connell Helen E. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsTo perform a systematic review to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of all urethral bulking agents (UBAs) available for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. A systematic search was conducted using the Ovid Medline, Embase and PubMed databases. Studies were included if they involved women who underwent either Bulkamid®, Macroplastique®, Durasphere®, Coaptite®, or Urolastic® injections for the treatment of SUI. A total of 583 articles were screened with 56 articles included. A qualitative analysis was performed.ResultsThe newer synthetic UBAs are not inferior to Contigen®, with variable mean success rates of 30%–80% in the short‐term. Better long‐term success rates were found with Bulkamid® (42%–70%), Coaptite® (60%–75%), and Macroplastique® (21%–80%) on qualitative review. Urinary tract infection rates were similar between bulking agents (4%–10.6%) although temporary acute urinary retention was more commonly associated with Coaptite® (mean: 34.2%), and de novo urgency in Durasphere® (mean: 24.7%). Significant complications such as migration into lymph nodes was reported with Durasphere®. Erosion was reported with Macroplastique®, Coaptite®, and Urolastic®, with a rate as high as 24.6% in one study of Urolastic®.ConclusionAvailable data support the use of Bulkamid® and Macroplastique®, which has shown a short‐term efficacy of 30%–90% and 40%–85% respectively, and long‐term efficacy of 42%–70%, and 21%–80%, respectively. Bulkamid® appears to have a more favorable safety profile, with no cases of erosion or migration of product associated with its use. Direct comparisons of UBAs have not been performed.
Synthesis of control Lyapunov functions and stabilizing feedback strategies using exit‐time optimal control Part II: Numerical approach
Authors: Yegorov Ivan , Dower Peter M. , Grüne Lars 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper continues the study (Yegorov, Dower, and Grüne et al.) and develops a curse‐of‐dimensionality‐free numerical approach to feedback stabilization, whose theoretical foundation was built in Yegorov et al. and involved the characterization of control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) via exit‐time optimal control. First, we describe an auxiliary linearization‐based technique for the construction of a local CLF and discuss how to determine its appropriate sublevel set that can serve as the terminal set in the exit‐time optimal control problem leading to a global or semi‐global CLF. Next, the curse of complexity is addressed with regard to the approximation of CLFs and associated feedback strategies in high‐dimensional regions. The goal is to enable for efficient model predictive control implementations with essentially faster (though less accurate) online policy updates than in case of solving direct or characteristics‐based nonlinear programming problems for each sample instant. We propose a computational approach that combines gradient enhanced modifications of the Kriging and inverse distance weighting frameworks for scattered grid interpolation. It in particular allows for convenient offline inclusion of new data to improve obtained approximations (machine learning can be used to select relevant new sparse grid nodes). Moreover, our method is designed so as to a priori return proper values of the CLF interpolant and its gradient on the entire terminal set of the considered exit‐time optimal control problem. Supporting numerical simulation results are also presented.
Use of hydrochlorothiazide and risk of skin cancer in a large nested case‐control study in Spain
Authors: León‐Muñoz Luz M. , Duarte‐Salles Talita , Llorente Ana , Díaz Yesika , Puente Diana , Pottegård Anton , Montero‐Corominas Dolores , Huerta Consuelo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPurposeHydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) use has been linked to skin cancer in northern European countries. We assessed the association between HCTZ exposure and risk of malignant melanoma (MM) and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) in a European Mediterranean population.MethodsTwo parallel nested case‐control studies were conducted in Spain using two electronic primary healthcare databases, each one providing data on both exposure and outcomes: SIDIAP and BIFAP. Cancer cases were matched to 10 controls by age and gender through risk‐set sampling. The ORs and 95% CI for MM and KC associated with previous HCTZ use were estimated using conditional logistic regression. In BIFAP, KC cases were further identified as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).ResultsIn adjusted analyses, both ever and cumulative high (≥50,000 mg) use of HCTZ were associated with an increased risk of KC. The risk estimates for high use were 1.30 (1.26–1.34) in SIDIAP and 1.20 (1.12–1.30) in BIFAP, with a lower risk for BCC (1.11 [1.02–1.21]) than for SCC (1.71 [1.45–2.02]). A dose–response relationship was observed between cumulative doses of HCTZ and KC risk. Inconsistent results were found for high use of HCTZ and risk of MM: 1.25 (1.09–1.43) in SIDIAP and 0.85 (0.64–1.13) in BIFAP.ConclusionsIn this European Mediterranean population, a high cumulative use of HCTZ was related to an increased risk of KC with a clear dose–response pattern.
Synthesis and Applications of Nanostructured Hollow Transition Metal Chalcogenides
Authors: Dai Meng , Wang Rui 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNanostructures with well‐defined structures and rich active sites occupy an important position for efficient energy storage and conversion. Recent studies have shown that a transition metal chalcogenide (TMC) has a unique structure, such as diverse structural morphology, excellent stability, high efficiency, etc., and is used in the fields of electrochemistry and catalysis. The nanohollow structure metal chalcogenide has broad application prospects due to the existence of a large number of active sites and a wide internal space, allowing a large number of ions and electrons to be transported. Summarizing synthetic strategies of nanostructured hollow transition metal sulfides (HTMC) and their applications in the field of energy storage and conversion is discussed here. Through some representative examples, the fabrication and properties of various hollow structures are analyzed, which prompt some emerging nanoengineering designs to be applied to transition metal chalcogenides. It is hoped that the construction of the HTMC will lead to a deeper understanding for the further exploration of energy storage and conversion.
Negotiations in scientific argumentation: An interpersonal analysis
Authors: Governor Donna , Lombardi Doug , Duffield Catie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractArgumentation enables students to engage in real world scientific practices by rationalizing claims grounded in supporting evidence. Student engagement in scientific argumentation activates the negotiation process by which students develop and defend evidence‐based claims. Little is known, however, on the intricate process and potential patterns of negotiation between students during scientific argumentation. The present study seeks to fill this gap by exploring how a group of university science education students negotiated when evaluating the relationship between lines of evidence and alternative explanatory models of a phenomena (i.e., climate change). This research, theoretically grounded in social constructionism, used Halliday's model of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) within a discourse analysis framework. The authors analyzed transcripts of student conversations during a model‐evidence link activity to gain insights into patterns of negotiation. An interpersonal analysis centering on mood and moves revealed students' ability to engage in the negotiation component of scientific argumentation to make assertions about relations between evidence and models. Effective collaboration resulting in group consensus of the relationship (categorized as supports, strongly supports, or contradicts) was facilitated by the use of interrogatives, modulation, and a balanced contribution between group members. Conversely, negotiation which did not reach consensus featured less balanced discussion among group members, contained more interruptions, more conflict moves, and double polarity clauses.
Adenine functionalized antibacterial PVC with both photo and thermal stability
Authors: Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , El‐Sayed Ahmed A. , Abdelhamid Ahmed E. , Rabie Samira T. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdenine was used as a precursor to obtain antibacterial poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Adenine functionalized PVC has been prepared, characterized, and its antibacterial activity was evaluated. Chemical modification reaction of PVC was performed with adenine in two molar ratios (2:1 and 4:1). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and 1HNMR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the chemical structure of the adenine‐modified PVC and indicated the incorporation of adenine molecule in the backbone chains of PVC. Photostability of the prepared modified PVC was determined by measuring the changes in molecular weights using Gel permeation chromatography technique as well as the extent of discoloration of UV irradiated samples while thermal stability was studied by measuring the rate of dehydrochlorination and thermogravimetric analysis. Morphological investigation in terms of scanning electron microscopy was studied. Antibacterial activities of the two modified PVC samples were investigated against two types of Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtitles, Staphylococcus aurous, and Streptococcus faecalis) while the other types (Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhea, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) represented the Gram‐negative type bacteria. Antibacterial activity of PVC‐adenine blend was also investigated for comparison. Minimum inhibition concentration was performed for some PVC samples under study.
Nonlocal response of multi‐field coupling elastic medium based on fractional order strain
Authors: Ma Yongbin , Wang Le , Huang Fei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this work, a three‐dimensional model of the generalized thermoelasticity with fractional order stain and nonlocal effect is established. Nonlocal effect is used to depict size‐dependence feature and fractional order strain is considered to describe memory‐dependence properties. The Laplace and double Fourier transform techniques are applied to the three‐dimensional half‐space model subjected to thermal shock and traction free surface. A complex inversion formula of the transform with the techniques of the Fourier expansion been applied to obtain the inverses of double Fourier transforms, and Laplace transforms. Numerical results for the temperature, stress, strain and displacement are represented graphically based on various values of the fractional order strain parameter and elastic nonlocal parameter. The fractional order strain and nonlocal parameter has a limited effect on the thermal waves while it has significant effects on the mechanical waves.
Climate Change Resistant Energy Sources for Global Adaptation
Authors: Ife-Adediran Oluwatobi Ololade , Aboyewa Oluyemi Bright 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA holistic response and adaptation to climatic vicissitudes and extreme conditions as well as their associated risks to human and ecological sustainability must adequately cater for energy needs and optimization. An interventional approach should, among other measures, seek to improve the resilience of existing and prospective energy systems to climate change. The structured and policy-driven nature of adaptation measures require a bottom-up proactive approach that envisages the performance and efficiency of these systems, especially in terms of their sensitivity and vulnerability to changing climate conditions. Therefore, this chapter seeks to scrutinize various sources of energy concerning their resistance capabilities to climate change in the face of increasing global energy demands and consumption. Renewable and conventional energy sources are co-examined and compared vis-à-vis the current trends and predictions on climatic factors that are bearing on their principles of production, supply, and distribution. Findings from this chapter will serve as assessment tools for decision makers and corroborate other ongoing discourse on climate actions towards socioeconomic development and a sustainable environment.
Indigenous and Scientific Forecasts on Climate Change Perceptions of Arable Farmers: Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda
Authors: Nkuba Michael Robert , Chanda Raban , Mmopelwa Gagoitseope , Adedoyin Akintayo , Mangheni Margaret Najjingo , Lesolle David , Kato Edward 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDespite the dissemination of climate information from national meteorological systems, arable farmers still have challenges of dealing with climate-related risks. This study investigated the effect of using indigenous knowledge-based forecasts (IFs) and scientific knowledge-based forecasts (SFs) on the climate change perceptions of arable farmers in the Rwenzori region, Western Uganda. Data on socio-economic characteristics, use of forecasts, and climate change perceptions was collected from 580 arable farmers and the probit model was used in the analysis. The findings indicated that use of IFs only increased the likelihood of perceiving increase in the frequency in occurrences of droughts and floods. Using both SFs and IFs had a significant positive effect on perception of unpredictable rains and the increase in drought incidence among arable farmers. Although forecasts are important drivers of perceptions, other factors, such as gender, social capital, and dissemination of climate change information by radio, enhance climate change perceptions. Active participation of arable farmers in the dissemination of forecasts by national meteorological services could improve perceptions of climate related risks.
Socioeconomically Informed Use of Geostatistics to Track Adaptation of Resource-Poor Communities to Climate Change
Authors: Chari Martin Munashe , Hamandawana Hamisai , Zhou Leocadia 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAs the Green Climate Fund continues to make concerted efforts to leverage funding for resource-constrained communities in the global south under the aegis of increasing climate change impacts in sub-Saharan Africa, there is urgent and compelling need for tools that assist organizations to track the effectiveness of adaptation interventions in reducing vulnerability. This chapter offers a cost-effective methodology to track adaptation by using a case-study-based identification of communities with diminishing coping capacities in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Multistep geostatistical techniques were utilized in the ArcGIS 10.5 software environment to rank and spatialize changes in adaptation by using demographic census data for the years 2001 and 2011. Results of the analysis revealed that 12 communities had declining or static adaptive capacities between 2001 and 2011, while 10 communities had long-term decrease in adaptive capacities from 2001 to 2011 from a sampling universe of 134 communities. These findings are important because they demonstrate that the methodology can be effectively used to provide actionable information on the prevalence of low adaptation capacities at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, in order to guide the allocation of limited resources to the most deserving communities.
Risks of Indoor Overheating in Low-Cost Dwellings on the South African Lowveld
Authors: Matandirotya Newton R. , Cilliers Dirk P. , Burger Roelof P. , Pauw Christian , Piketh Stuart J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe South African Lowveld is a region of land that lies between 150 and 2000 m above sea level. In summer the region is characterized by the maximum mean daily ambient temperature of 32 °C. The purpose of the study was to characterize indoor thermal environments in low-cost residential dwellings during summer seasons as climate is changing. Indoor and ambient air temperature measurements were performed at a 30-min temporal resolution using Thermochron iButtons in the settlement of Agincourt. 58 free running low-cost residential dwellings were sampled over the summer seasons of 2016 and 2017. Complementary ambient air temperature data were sourced from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Data were transformed into hourly means for further analysis. It was found that hourly maximum mean indoor temperatures ranged between 27 °C (daytime) and 23 °C (nighttime) for both living rooms and bedrooms in summer 2016 while in 2017, maximum mean indoor temperatures ranged between 29 °C (daytime) and 26 °C (nighttime) in living rooms and bedrooms. Pearson correlations showed a positive association between indoor and ambient temperatures ranging between r = 0.40 (daytime) and r = 0.90 (nighttime). The association is weak to moderate during daytime because occupants apply other ventilation practices that reduce the relationship between indoor and ambient temperatures. The close association between nighttime ambient and indoor temperature can also be attributed to the effect of urban heat island as nighttime ambient temperature remain elevated; thus, influencing indoor temperatures also remain high. These findings highlight the potential threat posed by a rise in temperatures for low-cost residential dwellings occupants due to climate change. Furthermore, the high level of sensitiveness of dwellings to ambient temperature changes also indicates housing envelopes that have poor thermal resistance to withstand the Lowveld region’s harsh extreme heat conditions, especially during summer. The study findings suggest that a potential risk of indoor overheating exists in low-cost dwellings on the South African Lowveld as the frequency and intensity of heat waves rise. There is therefore a need to develop immediate housing adaptation interventions that mitigate against the projected ambient temperature rise for example through thermal insulation retrofits on the existing housing stock and passive housing designs for new housing stock.
Flood, Livelihood Displacement, and Poverty in Nigeria: Plights of Flood Victims, 2012–2018
Authors: Okafor Joachim Chukwuma 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe impacts of flood on the Nigerian population over the years have been enormous. This is because the attendant associated risks such as destruction of lives and properties, livelihood displacement, and impoverishment of victims arising from increasing flood cases have constituted a threat to the citizens’ survival and therefore inform the attention the menace has drawn among scholars, policy analyst. This chapter has as its primary aim, a critical assessment of the impacts of government responses over the plight of victims of flooding in Nigeria over the years under review. Thus, special attention is given in this chapter to the various barriers or challenges facing government response to the plight of flood victims in Nigeria. Finally, some valuable steps, which if taken will reduce these barriers or challenges, are outlined. Though, the study adopted the use of secondary sources of data collection via content analysis, the experiences and knowledge gathered in this chapter will be strategically useful to people and organizations interested in the government of Nigeria’s response to the plight of flood victims, barriers inhibiting the success of fund utilization in reducing the suffering and impoverishment of the flood victims, number of deaths, and population displaced as a result.
Gender Implications of Farmers’ Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Along Agriculture Value Chain in Nigeria
Authors: Deji Olanike F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractClimate change contributes significantly to the looming food insecurity in the rain-fed agricultural countries of Africa, including Nigeria. There is a gender dimension in climate change impacts and adaptation strategies along Agriculture Value Chain (AVC) in Nigeria. The chapter gender analyzed the aspects of climate change impacts; identified the indigenous and expert-based artificial adaptation strategies; assessed the gender differences in the adaptation strategies; and provided the gender implications of the indigenous adaptation strategies among actors along the AVC. The chapter adopted a value chain-based exploratory design with gender analysis as the narrative framework with Gender Response Theory as the theoretical background. There were gender differences in the production, economic, and social dimensions of the climate change impacts along the AVC. The indigenous climate change adaptation strategies were availability, low cost, and easily accessible; hence they were popularly adopted by male and female AVC actors. The adopted indigenous adaptation strategies challenged the social relations, influenced reordering of social and gender relations, participation, and power relation among the male and female actors along the AVC.