bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
2D inversion of electrical resistivity investigation of contaminant plume around a dumpsite near Onitsha expressway in southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ugbor Charles Chibueze , Ikwuagwu Ifeanyi Emmanuel , Ogboke Osim Jethro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe study tries to utilize vertical electrical sounding (VES) and 2D resistivity tomography to evaluate the region of influence of the leachate plume on the groundwater around a dumpsite at Onitsha expressway, southeastern Nigeria. The borehole log data were acquired and their respective geoposition logged with Garmin GPS device. In addition, four 1D (VES) soundings and 2D electrical profile data were acquired in the field utilizing the Schlumberger and Wenner profiles respectively. Petrozenith PZ-03 Resistivity meter was used to acquire the electrical data, while RES2DINV and WinResist software were used to interpret the 2D and 1D data respectively. The resulting geoelectic layers were correlated with the borehole logs and were interpreted according to their resistivity distribution. Results of the 2D inversion at profiles 1 and 3 showed low resistivity zones indicating influence from the leachate plume. Profiles 2 and 4 gave low resistivity zone within 14.6 and 44.3 Ωm from surface to between 0.375 and 3.60 m depths indicating influence from leachate plume. Likewise, profiles 1 and 3, which penetrated groundwater, also showed very low resistivity with resistivity ranging from 3.12 to 8.7 Ωm, from surface to few meters depths. This indicates that it has been polluted by the leachate. In contrast, Profiles 2 and 4, from the 2D inversion, has no leachate influence on the groundwater. The VES result showed that the depth to the water table at location 1, 2, 3 and 4 are 21.7 m, 17.9 m, 15.9 m and 12.2 m respectively, with the leachate plume flowing in the southeast direction in line with the groundwater flow direction.
Role of thromboelastography in the evaluation of septic shock patients with normal prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time
Authors: Kim Sang-Min , Kim Sang-Il , Yu Gina , Kim June-Sung , Hong Seok In , Chae Bora , Shin Yo Sep , Kim Youn-Jung , Jang Seongsoo , Kim Won Young 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCoagulopathy is frequent in septic shock and plays a key role in multiple organ dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate application values of thromboelastography (TEG) for outcome in septic shock patients with a normal value of prothrombin time (PT) and active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Prospective observational study using 1298 consecutive septic shock patients with TEG at admission was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care hospital in South Korea between 2016 and 2019. After excluding overt-disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) defined by scoring system, we included patients with a normal value of international normalized ratio ≤ 1.3 and aPTT ≤ 34 s. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. 893 patients were included and 129 patients with overt DIC were excluded. Of the 764 remaining patients, 414 (54.2%) patients showed normal PT and aPTT (28-day mortality rate, 11.4%). TEG values such as reaction time, kinetic time (K), alpha angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA) and lysis index (LY 30) showed no significant mean difference between the survivor and non-survivor groups. However, hypocoagulable TEG values such as α < 53° (12.0% vs. 23.4%; p = 0.039), and MA < 50 mm (6.3% vs. 21.3%; p = 0.002) were significantly higher in the non-survived group. In multivariate analysis, hypocoagulable state (defined as K > 3 and α < 53 and MA < 50) was independent factors associated with increased risk of death (OR 4.882 [95% CI, 1.698–14.035]; p = 0.003). In conclusion, septic shock patients with normal PT and aPTT can be associated with impaired TEG profile, such as hypocoagulability, associated with increased mortality.
Analytic comparison between three high-throughput commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays reveals minor discrepancies in a high-incidence population
Authors: Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Dargham Soha R. , Shurrab Farah , Al-Sadeq Duaa W. , Al-Jighefee Hadeel , Chemaitelly Hiam , Al Kanaani Zaina , Al Khal Abdullatif , Al Kuwari Einas , Coyle Peter , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Rahim Hanan F. Abdul , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Kuwari Mohamed G. , Qotba Hamda , Al Romaihi Hamad Eid , Tang Patrick , Bertollini Roberto , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Althani Asmaa A. , Abu-Raddad Laith J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPerformance of three automated commercial serological IgG-based assays was investigated for assessing SARS-CoV-2 “ever” (past or current) infection in a population-based sample in a high exposure setting. PCR and serological testing was performed on 394 individuals. SARS-CoV-2-IgG seroprevalence was 42.9% (95% CI 38.1–47.8%), 40.6% (95% CI 35.9–45.5%), and 42.4% (95% CI 37.6–47.3%) using the CL-900i, VidasIII, and Elecsys assays, respectively. Between the three assays, overall, positive, and negative percent agreements ranged between 93.2–95.7%, 89.3–92.8%, and 93.8–97.8%, respectively; Cohen’s kappa statistic ranged from 0.86 to 0.91; and 35 specimens (8.9%) showed discordant results. Among all individuals, 12.5% (95% CI 9.6–16.1%) had current infection, as assessed by PCR. Of these, only 34.7% (95% CI 22.9–48.7%) were seropositive by at least one assay. A total of 216 individuals (54.8%; 95% CI 49.9–59.7%) had evidence of ever infection using antibody testing and/or PCR during or prior to this study. Of these, only 78.2%, 74.1%, and 77.3% were seropositive in the CL-900i, VidasIII, and Elecsys assays, respectively. All three assays had comparable performance and excellent agreement, but missed at least 20% of individuals with past or current infection. Commercial antibody assays can substantially underestimate ever infection, more so when infection rates are high.
S-Equol mitigates motivational deficits and dysregulation associated with HIV-1
Authors: McLaurin Kristen A. , Bertrand Sarah J. , Illenberger Jessica M. , Harrod Steven B. , Mactutus Charles F. , Booze Rosemarie M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMotivational deficits (e.g., apathy) and dysregulation (e.g., addiction) in HIV-1 seropositive individuals, despite treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy, necessitates the development of innovative adjunctive therapeutics. S-Equol (SE), a selective estrogen receptor β agonist, has been implicated as a neuroprotective and/or neurorestorative therapeutic for HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND); its therapeutic utility for motivational alterations, however, has yet to be systematically evaluated. Thus, HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals were treated with either a daily oral dose of SE (0.2 mg) or vehicle and assessed in a series of tasks to evaluate goal-directed and drug-seeking behavior. First, at the genotypic level, motivational deficits in HIV-1 Tg rats treated with vehicle were characterized by a diminished reinforcing efficacy of, and sensitivity to, sucrose. Motivational dysregulation was evidenced by enhanced drug-seeking for cocaine relative to control animals treated with vehicle. Second, treatment with SE ameliorated both motivational deficits and dysregulation in HIV-1 Tg rats. Following a history of cocaine self-administration, HIV-1 Tg animals treated with vehicle exhibited lower levels of dendritic branching and a shift towards longer dendritic spines with decreased head diameter. Treatment with SE, however, led to long-term enhancements in dendritic spine morphology in HIV-1 Tg animals supporting a potential underlying basis by which SE exerts its therapeutic effects. Taken together, SE restored motivated behavior in the HIV-1 Tg rat, expanding the potential clinical utility of SE to include both neurocognitive and affective alterations.
Association of maternal sleep before and during pregnancy with sleep and developmental problems in 1-year-old infants
Authors: Nakahara Kazushige , Michikawa Takehiro , Morokuma Seiichi , Ogawa Masanobu , Kato Kiyoko , Sanefuji Masafumi , Shibata Eiji , Tsuji Mayumi , Shimono Masayuki , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Ohga Shouichi , Kusuhara Koichi ,   the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Katoh Takahiko 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the association of maternal sleep before and during pregnancy with sleeping and developmental problems in 1-year-old infants. We used data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, which registered 103,062 pregnancies between 2011 and 2014. Participants were asked about their sleep habits prior to and during pregnancy. Follow-up assessments were conducted to evaluate the sleep habits and developmental progress of their children at the age of 1 year. Development during infancy was evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Maternal short sleep and late bedtime before and during pregnancy increased occurrence of offspring’s sleeping disturbances. For example, infants whose mothers slept for less than 6 h prior to pregnancy tended to be awake for more than 1 h (risk ratio [RR] = 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–1.66), sleep less than 8 h during the night (RR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.44–1.79), and fall asleep at 22:00 or later (RR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.26–1.40). Only subjective assessments of maternal sleep quality during pregnancy, such as very deep sleep and feeling very good when waking up, were inversely associated with abnormal ASQ scores in 1-year-old infants.
Second harmonic generation light quantifies the ratio of type III to total (I + III) collagen in a bundle of collagen fiber
Authors: Sugita Shukei , Suzumura Takuya , Nakamura Akinobu , Tsukiji Shinya , Ujihara Yoshihiro , Nakamura Masanori 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe ratio of type III to type I collagen is important for properly maintaining functions of organs and cells. We propose a method to quantify the ratio of type III to total (type I + III) collagen (λIII) in a given collagen fiber bundle using second harmonic generation (SHG) light. First, the relationship between SHG light intensity and the λIII of collagen gels was examined, and the slope (k1) and SHG light intensity at 0% type III collagen (k2) were determined. Second, the SHG light intensity of a 100% type I collagen fiber bundle and its diameter (D) were measured, and the slope (k3) of the relationship was determined. The λIII in a collagen fiber bundle was estimated from these constants (k1-3) and SHG light intensity. We applied this method to collagen fiber bundles isolated from the media and adventitia of porcine thoracic aortas, and obtained λIII = 84.7% ± 13.8% and λIII = 17.5% ± 15.2%, respectively. These values concurred with those obtained with a typical quantification method using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The findings demonstrated that the method proposed is useful to quantify the ratio of type III to total collagen in a collagen fiber bundle.
The entropy of chaotic transitions of EEG phase growth in bipolar disorder with lithium carbonate
Authors: Demirer Rüştü Murat , Kesebir Sermin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe application of chaos measures the association of EEG signals which allows for differentiating pre and post-medicated epochs for bipolar patients. We propose a new approach on chaos necessary for proof of EEG metastability. Shannon entropies of concealed patterns of Schwarzian derivatives from absolute instantaneous frequency transformations of EEG signals after Hilbert transform are compared and found significantly statistically different between pre and post-medication periods when fitted to von Bertalanffy’s functions. Schwarzian dynamics measures was compared at first baseline and then at the end of the first hour of one dose 300 mg lithium carbonate intake for the same subject in depressive patients. With an application of Schwarzian derivative on the prediction of von Bertalanffy’s models, integration and segregation of phase growth orbits of neural oscillations can be understood as an influence of chaos on the mixing of frequencies. A phase growth constant parameter was performed to determine the bifurcation parameter of von Bertalanffy’s model at each given non-overlapped EEG segment. Schwarzian derivative was sometimes very close positive near the origin but stayed negative for most of the number of segments. Lithium carbonate changed the chaotic invariants of the EEG Schwarzian dynamics and removed sharp boundaries in the bipolar spectrum.
ALS-linked FUS mutants affect the localization of U7 snRNP and replication-dependent histone gene expression in human cells
Authors: Gadgil Ankur , Walczak Agnieszka , Stępień Agata , Mechtersheimer Jonas , Nishimura Agnes Lumi , Shaw Christopher E. , Ruepp Marc-David , Raczyńska Katarzyna Dorota 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGenes encoding replication-dependent histones lack introns, and the mRNAs produced are a unique class of RNA polymerase II transcripts in eukaryotic cells that do not end in a polyadenylated tail. Mature mRNAs are thus formed by a single endonucleolytic cleavage that releases the pre-mRNA from the DNA and is the only processing event necessary. U7 snRNP is one of the key factors that determines the cleavage site within the 3ʹUTR of replication-dependent histone pre-mRNAs. We have previously showed that the FUS protein interacts with U7 snRNA/snRNP and regulates the expression of histone genes by stimulating transcription and 3ʹ end maturation. Mutations in the FUS gene first identified in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lead to the accumulation of the FUS protein in cytoplasmic inclusions. Here, we report that mutations in FUS lead to disruption of the transcriptional activity of FUS and mislocalization of U7 snRNA/snRNP in cytoplasmic aggregates in cellular models and primary neurons. As a consequence, decreased transcriptional efficiency and aberrant 3ʹ end processing of histone pre-mRNAs were observed. This study highlights for the first time the deregulation of replication-dependent histone gene expression and its involvement in ALS.
Saharan dust and giant quartz particle transport towards Iceland
Authors: Varga György , Dagsson-Waldhauserová Pavla , Gresina Fruzsina , Helgadottir Agusta 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMineral dust emissions from Saharan sources have an impact on the atmospheric environment and sedimentary units in distant regions. Here, we present the first systematic observations of long-range Saharan dust transport towards Iceland. Fifteen Saharan dust episodes were identified to have occurred between 2008 and 2020 based on aerosol optical depth data, backward trajectories and numerical models. Icelandic samples from the local dust sources were compared with deposited dust from two severe Saharan dust events in terms of their granulometric and mineralogical characteristics. The episodes were associated with enhanced meridional atmospheric flow patterns driven by unusual meandering jets. Strong winds were able to carry large Saharan quartz particles (> 100 µm) towards Iceland. Our results confirm the atmospheric pathways of Saharan dust towards the Arctic, and identify new northward meridional long-ranged transport of giant dust particles from the Sahara, including the first evidence of their deposition in Iceland as previously predicted by models.
Hierarchical crumpled NiMn2O4@MXene composites for high rate ion transport electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Yan Hailong , Cheng Jinbing , Bai Zuxue , Peng Tao , Lu Yang , Kim Jang-Kyo , Luo Yongsong 
Published: June 2021

NiMn2O4@MXene composites with crumpled surface (C-NMO@MX) were prepared. The C-NMO@MX electrode shows a much higher rate performance and a specific capacitance. The C-NMO@MX delivers a high energy density of 118.9 W h kg−1 at 1.92 kW kg−1.
Enhanced spatial modulation with generalized antenna selection in MISO channels
Authors: Qing Hua , Yu Hua , Liu Yun , Wen Miaowen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHere, an enhanced spatial modulation with generalized antenna selection (ESM‐GAS) for multiple‐input single‐output systems is proposed. Unlike the conventional SM systems, in ESM‐GAS, the number of active antennas is not fixed, but varies from only one to all. In ESM‐GAS, a concept called equivalent antennas is introduced to describe the status of the antennas. Out of all the available equivalent antennas, a subset is selected as the candidate antennas for SM, in which additional information bits are used to determine the indices of the activated equivalent antennas. Two criteria are used to select the candidate equivalent antennas. One is ESM‐GAS, where a part of candidate equivalent antennas with larger channel power gains are selected with low computational complexity. To further improve the bit error ratio (BER) performance of ESM‐GAS, the other one is a combination scheme of Euclidean distance antenna selection (EDAS) and ESM‐GAS (ESM‐GAS‐EDAS). Simulation results show that ESM‐GAS has better BER performance than conventional SM, and ESM‐GAS‐EDAS outperforms conventional SM, EDAS‐based SM, and ESM‐GAS, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.
Prior knowledge‐based statistical estimation of linear false tracks in uniform distributed clutter
Authors: Wang Fei , Lu Wenfeng , Shi Chenguang , Zhou Jianjiang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA large number of initialised false tracks in clutter environments will cause a heavy burden on the detection and track‐processing system. The quantity of initialised false tracks in clutter used to be estimated by experience or simulation, which lacks a fundamental explanation in theory. In order to estimate the amount of linear initialised false tracks with analytical expressions, statistical estimators are proposed based on prior knowledge of the clutter in a two‐dimensional scenario. Meanwhile, the differential Hough transform is presented to verify the estimators. To be specific, firstly, a one‐dimensional scenario is illustrated to present the statistical estimators of the number of initialised linear and equal‐length false tracks, which is based on statistical estimation theory. Secondly, regarding the clutter map as a uniform distributed binary image, the estimators described at first are extended to a two‐dimensional situation. Finally, to verify the validity of the proposed estimators, a differential Hough transform algorithm is utilised to obtain the number of linear and equal‐length tracks in the simulation. The results show that the estimators proposed herein are reasonable in a certain clutter environment.
Difficult biliary cannulation in ERCP procedures with or without trainee involvement: a comparative study
Authors: Wang Xu , Luo Hui , Tao Qin , Ren Gui , Wang Xiangping , Liang Shuhui , Zhang Linhui , Chen Long , Shi Xin , Guo Xuegang , Pan Yanglin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background The 5–5–1 criteria (> 5 minutes – 5 cannulation attempts – 1 unintended pancreas duct cannulation) were proposed by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to define difficult biliary cannulation. However, the criteria may be inappropriate for trainee-involved procedures. We developed criteria for difficult cannulation in trainee-involved procedures.
Methods Patients undergoing biliary cannulation with or without trainee involvement were eligible. Procedures that might be too easy (e. g. fistula) or too difficult (e. g. altered anatomy) were excluded. The primary outcome was difficult cannulation, defined as cannulation time, attempts, or inadvertent pancreatic duct (PD) cannulation exceeding the 75 % percentile of each variable. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used.
Results After PSM, there were 1596 patients in each group. Trainee-involved procedures had longer median (interquartile range [IQR]) cannulation time (7.5 [2.2–15.3] vs. 2.0 [0.6–5.2] minutes), and more attempts (5 [2–10] vs. 2 [1–4]) and inadvertent PD cannulation (0 [0–2] vs. 0 [0–1]) vs. procedures without trainee involvement (all P < 0.001). The 15–10–2 criteria for difficult cannulation were proposed for trainee-involved cannulation and the 5–5-1 criteria were nearly confirmed for cannulation without trainee involvement. The proportions of difficult cannulation using these respective criteria were 35.5 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 33.2 %–37.9 %) and 31.8 % (95 %CI 29.5 %–34.2 %), respectively (odds ratio 1.18 [95 %CI 1.02–1.37]). Incidences of post-ERCP pancreatitis following difficult cannulation were comparable (7.8 % [95 %CI 5.7 %–10.3 %] vs. 9.8 % [95 %CI 7.4 %–12.8 %], respectively).
Conclusion By using the 75 % percentiles as cutoffs, the proposed 15–10–2 criteria for difficult cannulation could be appropriate in trainee-involved procedures.
Use of Bony Landmarks during Adrenal Venous Sampling to Guide Catheterization of the Left Adrenal Vein
Authors: Cusumano Lucas R. , Mathevosian Sipan , Sweigert Joshua K. , Srinivasa Ravi N. , Luhar Aarti P. , Moriarty John M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the utility of fluoroscopic bony landmarks in predicting the location of the left adrenal vein during adrenal vein sampling (AVS).
Methods Eighty-six AVS procedures were performed in 81 patients between August 2013 and March 2020. A selectivity index was calculated for each case by dividing the measured left adrenal vein cortisol level by the peripheral vein cortisol level. Successful “target” left adrenal vein catheterization was confirmed in cases with a selectivity index of three or greater. Intraprocedural AVS fluoroscopic images were selected that demonstrated catheter position in the left adrenal vein. Lateral distance from the catheter tip in the left adrenal vein to the lateral margin of the left pedicle at the associated vertebral body level was measured.
Results Mean patient age was 56.4 years (range: 19–80 years) and 48 (59.3%) patients were male. Target sampling in the left adrenal vein was confirmed in 82 (95.3%) cases. In 78 (95.1%) targeted cases, the catheter terminated less than 25 mm from the left lateral pedicle at a mean distance of 11.2 mm. The catheter was most frequently placed at the T12 and L1 vertebral body levels. Four (4.7%) cases demonstrated nontarget catheter positioning, two (50.0%) of these cases were within 25 mm.
Conclusion The position of the left adrenal vein is generally located in a predictable position relative to bony landmarks. By utilizing these landmarks, positioning of the sampling catheter during AVS can be more reliable with the potential to avoid repeat procedures and delays in patient care.