bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nested Sinkhorn divergence to learn the nested distance
Authors: Pichler Alois , Weinhardt Michael 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe nested distance builds on the Wasserstein distance to quantify the difference of stochastic processes, including also the evolution of information modelled by filtrations. The Sinkhorn divergence is a relaxation of the Wasserstein distance, which can be computed considerably faster. For this reason we employ the Sinkhorn divergence and take advantage of the related (fixed point) iteration algorithm. Furthermore, we investigate the transition of the entropy throughout the stages of the stochastic process and provide an entropy-regularized nested distance formulation, including a characterization of its dual. Numerical experiments affirm the computational advantage and supremacy.
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies and the Impact of COVID-19 on the HIV Care Continuum, Economic Security, Risky Health Behaviors, and Mental Health Among HIV-Infected Individuals in Vietnam
Authors: Matsumoto Shoko , Nagai Moeko , Luong Dieu An Dang , Nguyen Hoai Dung Thi , Nguyen Dung Thi , Van Dinh Trang , Van Tran Giang , Tanuma Junko , Pham Thach Ngoc , Oka Shinichi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated social responses may uniquely affect people living with HIV (PLHIV). SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and a cross-sectional survey on COVID-19’s socio-behavioral impacts were conducted among a large PLHIV cohort in Hanoi, Vietnam. We examined anonymous antibody test results for 1243 PLHIV (99.8%) from whom plasma was obtained and completed surveys were collected in June/July 2020, just after the end of the first COVID-19 outbreak and nationwide lockdown. Three participants (0.2%) tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. HIV treatment was generally maintained without antiretroviral therapy interruption, but COVID-19 had substantial impacts on economic security and risky health behaviors among PLHIV, which may have amplified psychological stress. These findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring of COVID-19’s impacts on PLHIV and for efforts to mitigate these impacts.
Impact of systemic adjuvant therapy and CYP2D6 activity on mammographic density in a cohort of tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients
Authors: Thorén Linda , Eriksson Mikael , Lindh Jonatan D. , Czene Kamila , Bergh Jonas , Eliasson Erik , Hall Per , Margolin Sara 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Change in mammographic density has been suggested to be a proxy of tamoxifen response. We investigated the effect of additional adjuvant systemic therapy and CYP2D6 activity on MD change in a cohort of tamoxifen-treated pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

Methods
Swedish breast cancer patients (n = 699) operated 2006–2014, genotyped for CYP2D6, having at least three months postoperative tamoxifen treatment, a baseline, and at least one follow-up digital mammogram were included in the study. Other systemic adjuvant treatment included chemotherapy, goserelin, and aromatase inhibitors. Change in MD, dense area, was assessed using the automated STRATUS method. Patients were stratified on baseline characteristics, treatments, and CYP2D6 activity (poor, intermediate, extensive, and ultrarapid). Relative density change was calculated at year 1, 2, and 5 during follow-up in relation to treatments and CYP2D6 activity.

Results
Mean relative DA decreased under the follow-up period, with a more pronounced MD reduction in premenopausal patients. No significant effect of chemotherapy, aromatase inhibitors, goserelin, or CYP2D6 activity on DA change was found. DA did not revert to baseline levels after tamoxifen discontinuation.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that other systemic adjuvant therapy does not further reduce MD in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients. We could not confirm the previously suggested association between CYP2D6 activity and MD reduction in a clinical setting with multimodality adjuvant treatment. No rebound effect on MD decline after tamoxifen discontinuation was evident.
Waste to resource: use of water treatment residual for increased maize productivity and micronutrient content
Authors: Gwandu T. , Blake L. I. , Nezomba H. , Rurinda J. , Chivasa S. , Mtambanengwe F. , Johnson K. L. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSoil degradation, which is linked to poor nutrient management, remains a major constraint to sustained crop production in smallholder urban agriculture (UA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While organic nutrient resources are often used in UA to complement mineral fertilizers in soil fertility management, they are usually scarce and of poor quality to provide optimum nutrients for crop uptake. Alternative soil nutrient management options are required. This study, therefore, evaluates the short-term benefits of applying an aluminium-based water treatment residual (Al-WTR), in combination with compost and inorganic P fertilizer, on soil chemical properties, and maize (Zea mays L.) productivity and nutrient uptake. An eight-week greenhouse experiment was established with 12 treatments consisting of soil, Al-WTR and compost (with or without P fertilizer). The co-amendment (10% Al-WTR + 10% compost) produced maize shoot biomass of 3.92 ± 0.16 g at 5 weeks after emergence, significantly (p < 0.05) out-yielding the unamended control which yielded 1.33 ± 0.17 g. The addition of P fertilizer to the co-amendment further increased maize shoot yield by about twofold (7.23 ± 0.07 g). The co-amendment (10% Al-WTR + 10% C) with P increased maize uptake of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn), compared with 10% C + P. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining Al-WTR, compost and P fertilizer increases maize productivity and micronutrient uptake in comparison with single amendments of compost and fertilizer. The enhanced micronutrient uptake can potentially improve maize grain quality, and subsequently human nutrition for the urban population of SSA, partly addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 3 of improving diets.
Personal exposure levels to O3, NOx and PM10 and the association to ambient levels in two Swedish cities
Authors: Haga Susanna Lohman , Hagenbjörk Annika , Olin Anna-Carin , Forsberg Bertil , Liljelind Ingrid , Carlsen Hanne Krage , Modig Lars 
Published: September 2021

AbstractExposure to air pollution is of great concern for public health although studies on the associations between exposure estimates and personal exposure are limited and somewhat inconsistent. The aim of this study was to quantify the associations between personal nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10) exposure levels and ambient levels, and the impact of climate and time spent outdoors in two cities in Sweden. Subjects (n = 65) from two Swedish cities participated in the study. The study protocol included personal exposure measurements at three occasions, or waves. Personal exposure measurements were performed for NOx and O3 for 24 h and PM10 for 24 h, and the participants kept an activity diary. Stationary monitoring stations provided hourly data of NOx, O3 and PM, as well as data on air temperature and relative humidity. Data were analysed using mixed linear models with the subject-id as a random effect and stationary exposure and covariates as fixed effects. Personal exposure levels of NOx, O3 and PM10 were significantly associated with levels measured at air pollution monitoring stations. The associations persisted after adjusting for temperature, relative humidity, city and wave, but the modelled estimates were slightly attenuated from 2.4% (95% CI 1.8–2.9) to 2.0% (0.97–2.94%) for NOx, from 3.7% (95% CI 3.1–4.4) to 2.1% (95% CI 1.1–2.9%) for O3 and from 2.6% (95% 0.9–4.2%) to 1.3% (95% CI − 1.5–4.0) for PM10. After adding covariates, the degree of explanation offered by the model (coefficient of determination, or R2) did not change for NOx (0.64 to 0.63) but increased from 0.46 to 0.63 for O3, and from 0.38 to 0.43 for PM10. Personal exposure to NOx, O3 and PM has moderate to good association with levels measured at urban background sites. The results indicate that stationary measurements are valid as measure of exposure in environmental health risk assessments, especially if they can be refined using activity diaries and meteorological data. Approximately 50–70% of the variation of the personal exposure was explained by the stationary measurement, implying occurrence of misclassification in studies using more crude exposure metrics, potentially leading to underestimates of the effects of exposure to ambient air pollution.
The Use of Examples in Philosophy of Technology
Authors: Bantwal Rao Mithun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper is a contribution to a discussion in philosophy of technology by focusing on the epistemological status of the example. Of the various developments in the emerging, inchoate field of philosophy of technology, the “empirical turn” stands out as having left the most enduring mark on the trajectory contemporary research takes. From a historical point of view, the empirical turn can best be understood as a corrective to the overly “transcendentalizing” tendencies of “classical” philosophers of technology, such as Heidegger. Empirically oriented philosophy of technology emphasizes actual technologies through case-study research into the formation of technical objects and systems (constructivist studies) and how they, for example, transform our perceptions and conceptions (the phenomenological tradition) or pass on and propagate relations of power (critical theory). This paper explores the point of convergence of classical and contemporary approaches by means of the notion of the “example” or “paradigm.” It starts with a discussion of the quintessential modern philosopher of technology, Martin Heidegger, and his thinking about technology in terms of the ontological difference. Heidegger’s framing of technology in terms of this difference places the weight of intelligibility entirely on the side of being, to such an extent that his examples become heuristic rather than constitutive. The second part of the paper discusses the methodological and epistemological import of the “example” and the form of intelligibility it affords. Drawing on the work of Wittgenstein (standard metre), Foucault (panopticism), and Agamben (paradigm), we argue that the example offers an alternative way of understanding the study of technologies from that of empirical case studies.
‘Defensive Escalations’
Authors: Lang Gerald 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDefence cases with an escalatory structure, in which the levels of violence between aggressor and defender start out as minor and then become major, even lethal, raise sharp problems for defence theory, and for our understanding of the conditions of defence: proportionality, necessity, and imminence. It is argued here that defenders are not morally required to withdraw from participation in these cases, and that defensive escalations do not offend against any of the conditions of defence, on an adequate understanding of them. No plausible interpretation of proportionality or necessity excludes defensive permissions in escalatory cases. Moreover, the structure of escalatory defensive cases also sheds useful light on permissible responses to conditional deadly threats. This is because we can analyse conditional deadly threats as disguised cases of escalation. Because defensive resistance is permissible in escalatory cases, it is also permissible in cases involving conditional deadly threats.
99mTc-HMPAO SPECT imaging reveals brain hypoperfusion during status epilepticus
Authors: Bascuñana Pablo , Wolf Bettina J. , Jahreis Ina , Brackhan Mirjam , García-García Luis , Ross Tobias L. , Bengel Frank M. , Bankstahl Marion , Bankstahl Jens P. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStatus epilepticus (SE) is a clinical emergency with high mortality. SE can trigger neuronal death or injury and alteration of neuronal networks resulting in long-term cognitive decline or epilepsy. Among the multiple factors contributing to this damage, imbalance between oxygen and glucose requirements and brain perfusion during SE has been proposed. Herein, we aimed to quantify by neuroimaging the spatiotemporal course of brain perfusion during and after lithium-pilocarpine-induced SE in rats. To this purpose, animals underwent 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT imaging at different time points during and after SE using a small animal SPECT/CT system. 99mTc-HMPAO regional uptake was normalized to the injected dose. In addition, voxel-based statistical parametric mapping was performed. SPECT imaging showed an increase of cortical perfusion before clinical seizure activity onset followed by regional hypo-perfusion starting with the first convulsive seizure and during SE. Twenty-four hours after SE, brain 99mTc-HMPAO uptake was widely decreased. Finally, chronic epileptic animals showed regionally decreased perfusion affecting hippocampus and cortical sub-regions. Despite elevated energy and oxygen requirements, brain hypo-perfusion is present during SE. Our results suggest that insufficient compensation of required blood flow might contribute to neuronal damage and neuroinflammation, and ultimately to chronic epilepsy generated by SE.
Morus alba L. and Morus nigra L. Leaves as a Promising Food Source of Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Polumackanycz Milena , Wesolowski Marek , Viapiana Agnieszka 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBioactivity of mulberry has been widely described, but mostly related to its fruits, while studies with leaves are scarce. Herein, in this study leaves of two mulberry species (Morus albaL. andMorus nigraL.) were characterized, compared, and evaluated in terms of their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Aiming to valorize mulberry leaves extracts which can be included in modern diet four different extracts (infusions, decoctions, tinctures and hydromethanolic) were examined. The chemical characterization was done by quantifying total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and phenolic acids (TPAC) content, L( +)ascorbic acid (ASA) and individual phenolic compounds in the extracts by HPLC technique. Moreover, DPPH and FRAP assays were used to assess the antioxidant activity of white and black mulberry leaves. Findings of these studies revealed that black mulberry leaves were richer in TFC and TPAC, while white mulberry leaves contained higher levels of individual phenolic compounds in water extracts. Gallic acid was found in the highest concentrations in two mulberry leave extracts. Correlation analysis showed strong relationships between antioxidant activity and TPC and TFC. This fact suggests the crucial role of phenolic compounds as antioxidant agents in white and black mulberry leaves. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that leaves of both white and black mulberry can be used as a valuable source of phenolic compounds with bioactive potential, which can be applied in the food sector, as foods and as promising source of natural ingredients.
Modal inferences in science: a tale of two epistemologies
Authors: Hirvonen Ilmari , Koskinen Rami , Pättiniemi Ilkka 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRecent epistemology of modality has seen a growing trend towards metaphysics-first approaches. Contrastingly, this paper offers a more philosophically modest account of justifying modal claims, focusing on the practices of scientific modal inferences. Two ways of making such inferences are identified and analyzed: actualist-manipulationist modality (AM) and relative modality (RM). In AM, what is observed to be or not to be the case in actuality or under manipulations, allows us to make modal inferences. AM-based inferences are fallible, but the same holds for practically all empirical inquiry. In RM, modal inferences are evaluated relative to what is kept fixed in a system, like a theory or a model. RM-based inferences are more certain but framework-dependent. While elements from both AM and RM can be found in some existing accounts of modality, it is worth highlighting them in their own right and isolating their features for closer scrutiny. This helps to establish their relevant epistemologies that are free from some strong philosophical assumptions often attached to them in the literature. We close by showing how combining these two routes amounts to a view that accounts for a rich variety of modal inferences in science.
Changes of urine isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm affect monocytes’ response
Authors: Daca Agnieszka , Gołębiewska Justyna , Bronk Marek , Jarzembowski Tomasz 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Gram negative rods as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae belong to the most common etiology agents of urinary tract infections. The aim of our study was to assess the diversity of biofilm formed in different urinary tract diseases and their impact on monocytes’ adherence and activation. The bacteria were obtained from patients with different kidney problems. Some of the patients were after renal transplantation, some of them were not. Changes in the size and granularity of monocytes, as well as their adherence to biofilm, were assessed using FACSVerse flow cytometer after 1 h co-incubation of monocytes and bacterial biofilm in 37 °C. The obtained results were validated against monocytes incubated without bacteria. The isolates from patients with chronic kidney disease formed the most adherent biofilm regardless the presence or absence of inflammatory reaction. Adherence of monocytes also increased during therapy with immunosuppressive agents, but monocytes’ response was different when cyclosporine or tacrolimus were used. Additionally the presence of inflammatory reaction in patients with kidney disease modified the monocytes response when the immunosuppressive drugs were used. Considering the obtained results, we conclude that the changes of monocytes’ morphology in response to biofilm formed by Gram negative rods could become a tool to detect urinary tract infection, especially in those groups of patients, where the knowledge of ongoing inflammation is important and the standard tools fail to detect it.
Ethnic Disparities and the Psychological Trauma of Maltreated Children: Evidence from Three Multi-ethnic Counties in China
Authors: Wan Guowei , Gong Huihui 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study aims to discuss the effect of ethnicity on child maltreatment trauma in China and to contribute to international knowledge on the quality of life of children. The data come from a survey of 1763 rural children (Mage = 12.34, 50.0% boys) in three multi-ethnic counties in western China that was conducted from November 2019 to January 2020 with the modified versions of the “Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire” Scale. There are three important findings of this study. First, child maltreatment is significantly related to child depression in China. The depression score and rate of severe depression symptoms (SDS) are 2.09 times and 3.82 times higher, respectively, for maltreated children than children without maltreatment. Second, the effects of maltreatment on child depression differ significantly among the ethnic groups. The negative effect of maltreatment is most influential among the Han population and least influential among the Zhuang population. Third, ethnic disparities are also found in the effects of the influencing factors on child depression. The effect of intergenerational relationships on child depression is significant only in the Han and Tibetan populations, while the negative effect of peer support is found only among Han, Tibetan, and Miao children. Based on the confirmation of ethnic disparities in trauma due to maltreatment, this study suggests that it is necessary to establish a high-quality psychological intervention system in China’s multi-ethnic counties.
The influence of snuff and smoking on bone accretion in late adolescence. The Tromsø study, Fit Futures
Authors: Nilsen Ole Andreas , Emaus Nina , Christoffersen Tore , Winther Anne , Evensen Elin , Thrane Gyrd , Furberg Anne-Sofie , Grimnes Guri , Ahmed Luai Awad 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Summary

Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) predicts future fracture risk. This study explores associations between use of tobacco and bone accretion in Norwegian adolescents. Our results indicate that use of snuff is negatively associated with accretion of aBMD in adolescence and may be a signal of increased future fracture risk.

Purpose
Bone mineral accrual in childhood and adolescence is a long-term primary preventive strategy of osteoporosis. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) is a surrogate measure of bone strength and a predictor of fracture risk. The aim of this population-based 2-year follow-up cohort study was to explore associations between use of snuff and smoking and changes (∆) in aBMD in Norwegian girls and boys aged 15–17 years at baseline.

Methods
The first wave of the Tromsø study, Fit Futures was conducted from 2010 to 2011. Femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH), and total body (TB) bone mineral content (BMC) and aBMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on use of snuff, smoking habits, and other lifestyle related variables were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Two years later, during 2012–2013, the measurements were repeated in the second wave. The present study included 349 girls and 281 boys and compared “non-users” (n = 243 girls, 184 boys) with “users” (n = 105 girls, 96 boys) of snuff and “non-smokers” (n = 327 girls, 249 boys) with “smokers” (n = 21 girls, 31 boys) using linear regression adjusted for age, baseline height and weight, change in height and weight, pubertal maturation, physical activity, ethnicity, alcohol consumption, diagnosis known to affect bone, and medication known to affect bone. The influence of “double use” on bone accretion was also explored.

Results
In girls, no associations between use of snuff and ∆aBMD were found. In boys, use of snuff was associated with reduced bone accretion in all ∆aBMD models. Sensitivity analysis with exclusion of “sometimes” users of snuff strengthened associations at femoral sites in girls and attenuated all associations in boys. In girls, no associations between smoking and ∆aBMD were found. In boys, only the association with TB ∆aBMD was significant in the fully adjusted models. In girls, “double users” analyses showed similar association to smoking. In boys, nearly all models showed statistically significant associations with a difference of ~ 1–2% in ∆aBMD between “non-users” and “double users” during 2 years of follow-up.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that tobacco use in late adolescence could be detrimental to bone accretion and may be a signal of increased fracture risk in adult life.
Biosensor-based assay of exosome biomarker for early diagnosis of cancer
Authors: Deng Ying , Sun Zhaowei , Wang Lei , Wang Minghui , Yang Jie , Li Genxi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCancer imposes a severe threat to people’s health and lives, thus pressing a huge medical and economic burden on individuals and communities. Therefore, early diagnosis of cancer is indispensable in the timely prevention and effective treatment for patients. Exosome has recently become an attractive cancer biomarker in noninvasive early diagnosis because of the unique physiology and pathology functions, which reflects remarkable information regarding the cancer microenvironment, and plays an important role in the occurrence and evolution of cancer. Meanwhile, biosensors have gained great attention for the detection of exosomes due to their superior properties, such as convenient operation, real-time readout, high sensitivity, and remarkable specificity, suggesting promising biomedical applications in the early diagnosis of cancer. In this review, the latest advances of biosensors regarding the assay of exosomes were summarized, and the superiorities of exosomes as markers for the early diagnosis of cancer were evaluated. Moreover, the recent challenges and further opportunities of developing effective biosensors for the early diagnosis of cancer were discussed.