bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of groundwater quality in central Saudi Arabia using hydrogeochemical characteristics and pollution indices
Authors: Alharbi Talal , El-Sorogy Abdelbaset Sabry , Qaysi Saleh , Alshehri Fahad 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The groundwater quality and heavy metal contamination were evaluated in thirty palm farms, central Saudi Arabia using pollution indices, irrigation quality parameters, and multivariate statistical analyses. The results showed that the average values of TDS, Ca + , Na + , K + , Cl − , SO 4 2− , and F − were greater than the permissible limits of the WHO standards for drinking water. The groundwater facies types were Ca–Na–SO 4 –Cl (23 samples), Ca–Cl–SO 4 , (4 samples), and Ca–SO 4 –Cl type (3 samples). The groundwater quality index indicated that 15 groundwater samples were of good quality and 15 were of poor quality, whereas the metal index and heavy metal pollution index indicated that all samples were categorized as slightly affected and with low pollution, respectively. The variation is attributed to the increasing average values of some ions and decreasing HMs. The dissolution/precipitation of silicates, gypsum, and carbonates, and soil leaching were the natural factors affecting groundwater chemistry, whereas higher PO 4 3− , NO 3 − , F − , Pb, and Zn values in some samples may be attributed to human activities from the extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides on the investigated farms.
Study of pain level control targets after arthroscopic surgery
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Congying , Zhang Xiaole , Wang Hong , Xu Yan , Li Baohua , Wang Jianquan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: To explore the goal of pain control in patients after arthroscopic surgery.Design: Investigation. Postoperative pain, pain control satisfaction and the effect of pain on daily activities were investigated and evaluated.Setting: Department of Sports Medicine,Peking University 3rd Hospital,Beijing, P.R.ChinaSubjects: 514 patients selected by convenience sampling from patients hospitalized in a level A hospital in Beijing from 2020.06-2020.11. The patient inclusion criteria were an age of at least 18 years, a lack of significant personality disorders, stable social and psychological factors, the ability to clearly express his or her pain and an agreement to voluntarily cooperate with the investigators. The exclusion criteria were patients who had been using painkillers long-term and those with other acute and chronic pain disorders.Methods: Postoperative pain, pain control satisfaction and the effect of pain on daily activities were investigated and evaluated by administering a homemade questionnaire to 514 patients selected by convenience sampling from patients hospitalized in a level A hospital in Beijing from 2020.06-2020.11. Pain was assessed using a digital pain numerical rating scale (NRS) (0-10), and a digital score ranging from 0 to 10 was used for satisfaction with pain control and the impact of pain on aspects of daily living.Results: The pain level was most severe in patients 6-24 hours after arthroscopic surgery, during which pain control satisfaction was at its worst. The pain score was significantly related to the effects of pain on aspects of daily life, and the degree of these effects changed significantly for pain scores greater than 2 points.Conclusion: Pain control 6 to 24 hours after surgery is not satisfactory. It is recommended that a pain score of 2 points is used as the goal for pain control after arthroscopic surgery to guide both doctors and patients to effectively control postoperative pain.
Radiation-induced Hounsfield unit change correlates with dynamic CT perfusion better than 4DCT-based ventilation measures in a novel-swine model
Authors: Wuschner Antonia E. , Wallat Eric M. , Flakus Mattison J. , Shanmuganayagam Dhanansayan , Meudt Jennifer , Christensen Gary E. , Reinhardt Joseph M. , Miller Jessica R. , Lawless Michael J. , Baschnagel Andrew M. , Bayouth John E. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To analyze radiation induced changes in Hounsfield units and determine their correlation with changes in perfusion and ventilation. Additionally, to compare the post-RT changes in human subjects to those measured in a swine model used to quantify perfusion changes, and validate their use as a preclinical model. Methods: A cohort of 5 Wisconsin Miniature Swine (WMS™) were studied. Additionally, 19 human subjects were recruited as part of an IRB approved clinical trial studying functional avoidance radiation therapy for lung cancer and were treated with SBRT. Imaging (a contrast enhanced dynamic perfusion CT in the swine and 4DCT in the humans) was performed prior to and post-RT. Jacobian elasticity maps were calculated on all 4DCT images. Contours were created from the isodose lines to discretize analysis into 10 Gy dose bins. B-spline deformable image registration allowed for voxel-by-voxel comparative analysis in these contours between timepoints. The WMS™ underwent a research course of 60 Gy in 5 fractions delivered locally to a target in the lung using an MRI-LINAC system. In the WMS™ subjects, the dose-bin contours were copied onto the contralateral lung, which received < 5 Gy for comparison. Changes in HU and changes in Jacobian were analyzed in these contours.Results: Statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes in the mean HU value post-RT compared to pre-RT were observed in both the human and WMS™ groups at all timepoints analyzed. The HU increased linearly with dose for both groups. Strong linear correlation was observed between the changes seen in the swine and humans (Pearson coefficient > 0.97, p< 0.05) at all timepoints. Changes seen in the swine closely modeled the changes seen in the humans at 12 months post RT (slope=0.95). Jacobian analysis showed between 30-60% of voxels were damaged post-RT. Perfusion analysis in the swine showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in contrast inside the vasculature 3 months post-RT compared to pre-RT. The increases in contrast outside the vasculature was strongly correlated (Pearson Correlation 0.88) with the reduction in HU inside the vasculature but were not correlated with the changes in Jacobians. Conclusions: Radiation induces changes in pulmonary anatomy at 3 months post-RT, with a strong linear correlation with dose. The change in HU seen in the non-vessel lung parenchyma suggests this metric is a potential biomarker for change in perfusion. Finally, this work suggests that the WMS™ swine model is a promising pre-clinical model for analyzing radiation-induced changes in humans and poses several benefits over conventional swine models.
Online training in evidence-based medicine and research methods for GP Registrars: a mixed-methods evaluation of engagement and impact
Authors: Rahimi-Ardabili Hania , Spooner Catherine Spooner , Harris Mark F , Magin Parker , Tam Chun Wah Michael , Liaw Teng , Zwar Nicholas 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a core skillset for enhancing the quality and safety of patients’ care. Online EBM education could improve clinicians’ skills in EBM, particularly when it is conducted during vocational training. There are limited studies on the impact of online EBM training on clinical practice among GP registrars (trainees in specialist general practice). We aimed to explore GP registrars’ experience with an online interactive course that was a compulsory component of their vocational training. The course was developed by content-matter experts with educational designers to encompass effective teaching methods (e.g. it was interactive and used multiple teaching methods).
Methods

Mixed-method data collection was conducted after individual registrars’ completion of the course. The course comprised six modules that aimed to increase knowledge of research methods and application of EBM skills to everyday practice. GP registrars who completed the online course during 2016–2020 were invited to complete an online survey asking about their experience and satisfaction with the course. Those who completed the course within the six months prior to data collection were invited to participate in semi-structured phone interviews. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data from qualitative interviews.
Results

The data showed the registrars were generally positive towards the course and the concept of EBM. They stated that the course improved their confidence, knowledge, and skills and consequently impacted their practice. The students perceived the course increased their understanding of EBM with a Cohen’s d of 1.6. Registrars identified factors that influenced the impact of the course. Of those, some were GP-related including their perception of EBM, and being comfortable with what they already learnt; some were work-place related such as time, the influence of supervisors, access to resources; and one was related to patient preferences.
Conclusions

This study showed that an online education program was able to improve GP registrars’ knowledge, confidence, skill and practice of EBM over the period of three months. It also highlights the supervisor’s role on GP registrars’ ability in translating the EBM skills learnt in to practice and suggests exploring the effect of EBM training for supervisors.
Identification of source information for sudden hazardous chemical leakage accidents in surface water on the basis of particle swarm optimisation, differential evolution and Metropolis–Hastings sampling
Authors: Yang Haidong , Li Jinjin , Liu Biyu , Chen Luying 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A quick and accurate identification of source information on sudden hazardous chemical leakage accident is crucial for early accident warning and emergency response. This study firstly regards source identification problem of sudden hazardous chemical leakage accidents as an inverse problem and constructs a source identification model based on the Bayesian framework. Secondly, a new identification method is designed on the basis of particle swarm optimisation (PSO), differential evolution (DE) and the Metropolis–Hastings (M-H) sampling method. Lastly, the designed method, i.e. PSO-DE-MH, is verified by an outdoor experiment analyses in a section of the South–North Water Transfer Project. Results show that the number of iterations, the average absolute error, the average relative error and the average standard deviations of the identification results obtained by PSO-DE-MH are less than those of PSO-DE and DE-MH. Moreover, the relative error and the sampling relative error of the identification results under five different measurement errors (MEs) (σ = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2) are less than 9.5% and 0.2%, respectively. The designed method is effective even when the standard deviation of the ME increases to 0.2. Therefore, the designed method can effectively and accurately obtain the source information of sudden hazardous chemical leakage accidents. This study provides a new idea and method to solve the difficult problems of emergency management.
Determınıng the Covıd-19 Exıstence in Perıtoneal Fluıd
Authors: Ilgen Orkun , Ozgozen Eyuphan , Appak Ozgur , Ertan Begum , Dogan Erbil , Posaci Cemal 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose: To determine the SARS-CoV-2 existence in the peritoneal fluid for preventing healthcare workers from surgical smoke and aerosolization of Covid-19 during laparoscopyMethods: All the data of the 6 Covid-19 positive patients included in this study were collected prospectively between the 31st August 2020 and 31st November 2020. Clinicopathologic data of the patients including age, symptoms, radiological and laboratory findings, antiviral treatment before the operation, operation, and peritoneal fluid Covid-19 existence were recorded. Covid-19 status of the patients was diagnosed with a nasal swab test. Covid-19 existence in the peritoneal fluid was determined by the RT-PCR test.Results: All the 6 Covid-19 positive patients were pregnant. Therefore, all the operations were ceserean section operation. Only one patient had high fever. The Covid-19 specific radiological finding was detected only in one patient. In laboratory findings: 4 of 6 cases had lymphopenia and all cases had D-dimer positivity. Antiviral drugs were not used in any of the cases in this study. There was no detected Covid-19 virus in the peritoneal fluid examples of any cases. Conclusion: Aerosolization of Covid-19 from the peritoneal cavity by laparoscopy or electrocautery is not a big concern under the condition of applying cautions according to the guidelines.
Effect of root interaction on nodulation characteristics and isoflavonoid mechanism of alfalfa in the simulated alfalfa/oat in pots
Authors: Zhao Yajiao , Liu﹡ Xiaojing , Wu Yong , Tong Changchun 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Rational intercropping is capable of promoting nodulation and facilitating the fixation and utilization of nitrogen (N) of legumes. Isoflavonoid is critical to form root nodules of legumes, whereas the regulation of isoflavonoid over nodulation and N fixation in legume/cereal intercropping remains unclear. In the present study, nutrient solution of different root partitions (e.g., no barrier (A-O), nylon mesh barrier (NA-O), plastic barrier (PA-O) and sole alfalfa (SA)) and nitrogen levels (e.g., 21 and 210 mg L-1 N) were used to delve into the variations of nodulation, N fixation, isoflavonoid content, isoflavonoid synthase (IFS) and nodulation-signaling pathway (NOD) genes in alfalfa. As suggested from the results, the parameters of nodulation and N fixation ability with A-O were all evidently higher than those with PA-O and SA. Formononetin and genistein with A-O had noticeably higher contents than those with PAT and SA. Daidzein and luteolin with A-O had remarkably higher contents than those with NA-O in the root. IFR 1, IFR 4, NOD 1 and NOD 2 with A-O and NA-O had noticeably higher relative expressions than those with SA and PA-O. IFR 2 and IFR 3 with AT and NA-T had significantly lower relative expressions than those with PA-O and SA. The nodulation and isoflavonoids met significant positive associations. IFR and NOD genes and TNN and ENN followed significant positive associations. NOD genes and formononetin exhibited extremely significant positive associations. The conclusion was drawn that the closer root interaction between alfalfa and oat, the more effective the nodulation, N fixation ability and isoflavoids content of alfalfa will be. Isoflavonoids primarily affected nodulation and N fixation. The mechanism of isoflavonoids on nodulation and N fixation in alfalfa/oat intercropping was explained that root interaction results in the reduction of environmental N, thereby regulating the relative expressions of IFR genes, elevating the isoflavonoids contents, and up-regulating the relative expressions of NOD genes; as a result, the nodulation and N fixation ability in alfalfa are facilitated.
Towards a Flood Vulnerability Assessment of Watershed Using Integration of Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory, Analytical Network Process, and Fuzzy Theories
Authors: Hosseini Farzaneh Sajedi , Sigaroodi Shahram Khalighi , Salajegheh Ali , Moghaddamnia Alireza , Choubin Bahram 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Among natural disasters, flood is increasingly recognized as a serious worldwide concern that causes the most damages in parts of agriculture, fishery, housing, and infrastructure, and strongly affects economic and social activities. Universally, there is a requirement to increase our conception of flood vulnerability and to outstretch methods and tools to assess it. Spatial analysis of flood vulnerability is part of non-structural measures to prevent and reduce flood destructive effects. Hence, the current study proposes a methodology for assessing the flood vulnerability in the area of watershed in a severely flooded area of Iran (i.e., Kashkan Watershed). First interdependency analysis among criteria (including population density, PD; livestock density, LD; percentage of farmers and ranchers, PFR; distance to industrial and mining areas, DTIM; distance to tourist and cultural heritage areas, DTTCH; land use; distance to residential areas, DTRe; distance to road, DTR; and distance to stream, DTS) was conducted using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Hence, the cause and effect factors and their interaction levels in the whole network were investigated. Then, using the interdependency relationships among criteria, a network structure from flood vulnerability factors to determine their importance of factors was constructed and the analytical network process (ANP) was applied. Finally, with aim of overcome ambiguity, reduce uncertainty, and keep the data availability, an appropriate Fuzzy membership function was applied to each layer by analyzing the relationship of each layer with flood vulnerability. Importance analysis indicated that the variables of land use (0.197), DTS (0.181), PD (0.180), DTRe (0.140), and DTR (0.138) were the most important variables. The flood vulnerability map produced by the integrated method of DEMATEL-ANP-FUZZY showed that about 19.2% of the region has a high to very high flood vulnerability.
The impact of Nordic walking on bone properties in postmenopausal women with pre-diabetes and non-alcohol fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Du Xiaming , Zhang Chao , Zhang Xiangqi , Qi Zhen , Cheng Sulin , Le Shenglong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: How bone properties would change after exercise intervention in patients with comorbidities are largely unknown. This study investigated the impact of Nordic walking on bone properties in postmenopausal women with pre-diabetes and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods: The study is a part of a large randomized controlled trial. Of the eligible participants, 63 postmenopausal women (aged 50-65 years) with prediabetes and NAFLD participated in either a progressive supervised Nordic walking training (60-75% VO2max intensity), 2-3 times/week, 30-60 min/sessions for 8.6-month (AEx, n=33), or maintained their daily lifestyle during intervention (Con, n=30). Bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) of the whole body (WB), total femur (TF), femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (L2-4) were assessed by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Venous blood samples were analyzed for serum osteocalcin, pentosidine and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) levels by ELISA assay. Results: After 8.6-month intervention, the AEx group maintained their BMCTF, BMDTF, BMCL2-4 and BMDL2-4, and increased their BMCFN (p<0.016), while the Con group decreased their BMCTF (p<0.008), BMDTF (p<0.001)) and BMDL2-4 (p<0.002). However, no significant group × time interaction was observed, except for BMDL2-4 (p=0.013). Decreased pentosidine was correlated with increased BMCWB (=-0.352, p=0.019). The intervention has no significant effect on osteocalcin and RANKL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Nordic walking is effective in preventing bone loss among postmenopausal women with pre-diabetes and NAFLD. Changing of bone mass is associated with changing of pentosidine. However, this effect is not associated with osteocalcin and RANKL.Trial registration: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 42622771, registered 23 April 2013, https://www.isrctn.com/
Characteristics of Patients Meeting the New Definition of Pre-capillary Pulmonary Hypertension (Nice 2018) in a Single Japanese Pulmonary Hypertension Center
Authors: Yamamoto Keiko , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Takahashi Yukiko , Naito Akira , Sekine Ayumi , Suda Rika , Sanada Takayuki Jujo , Sugiura Toshihiko , Shigeta Ayako , Sakao Seiichiro , Tatsumi Koichiro 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The 6th World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension (Nice 2018) proposed a new definition of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a condition with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) > 20 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤ 15 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥ 3 Wood units (WU). The characteristics and prognosis of patients with pre-capillary PH, according to this new definition, is unclear. Therefore, we determined the characteristics of patients with pre-capillary PH who had pulmonary vascular disease with slight elevation in mPAP.Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 683 patients who underwent their first right heart catheterization (RHC) at Chiba University, Japan. Among them, 489 patients met the pre-capillary PH requirement with mPAP ≥ 25 mmHg (conventional pre-capillary PH group), while 22 patients met the borderline pre-capillary PH criteria (borderline pre-capillary PH group). Results: The borderline pre-capillary PH group comprised 4.3% of the total pre-capillary PH patients, and the majority was in Group 3 (40.9%) or 4 (45.5%). The survival of the borderline pre-capillary PH group tended to be better than that of the conventional pre-capillary PH group. Conclusions: Pre-capillary PH patients, according to the Nice 2018 definition, comprised 4.3 % of the population with total pre-capillary PH and had better survival than the conventional PH pre-capillary group; moreover, the majority of the pre-capillary PH cases were either Group 3 and 4.
Investigation of Copper-supported Ceria Nanofibers for Catalytic Oxidation of Diesel Soot
Authors: Pal Dan Bahadur , Mishra Anupama 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the present research, CeO2 and CuO/CeO2 nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning at 12 kV DC by maintaining a tip to collector distance of 10 cm. The morphology of the as-synthesized nanofibers was determined by scanning electron microscopy, and their elemental composition was verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The activity of the prepared samples for diesel soot oxidation was determined in a bench-scale fixed bed tubular reactor, and effluent gases were analyzed by online gas chromatography. The variations of working parameters (air flow rate, catalyst-soot ratio, catalyst-soot contact type) were evaluated in a range to optimized reaction conditions for diesel soot oxidation. The catalyst with 40% CuO/CeO2 had the highest surface area, the smallest crystallite size, and the best activity for diesel soot oxidation (tight contact) at Tf = 318oC.
Mechanical Strength and Water Absorption Analysis of Silane Treated Kenaf Natural Composites With Silicon Nanoparticles
Authors: N Parthipan , C Ramesh , C Mohanraj , S Padmavathy , Ang Chun Kit 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This research is mainly focused on the analysis of tensile and flexural strength, water absorption angle measurement of untreated and silane treatment of natural kenaf fiber composites reinforced with silicon nanoparticles. The percentages of nano silicon were 0.5 wt%, 1.5 wt% and 2.5 wt%. Before reinforcement, the kenaf fiber was treated with silane solution ( 90 vol% of water and 10 vol% of pure silane) to enhance the bonding strength. The composites samples were prepared using Epoxy, Kenaf and Silicon nanoparticle (EKS) by the compression moulding process. The tensile and flexural strength were measured about automobile interior application. Moreover, the samples were immersed in water for 24 hours with different environmental conditions. The results indicated that the tensile strength of epoxy improved from 8-9% when increasing the nanoparticles. Also, it was found that 3-5% of strength enhancement in silane treated samples than untreated composites. Similarly, the flexural strength of silane treated samples were found higher about 4% than untreated samples. And, lower water absorption was noted with silane treated than untreated kenaf hybrid composites, which tends to improve the bonding. It causes improvements in mechanical strength with silane treated kenaf hybrid composites.