bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Probiotics on Depression: Clinical Results From an Open-Label Pilot Study
Authors: Wallace Caroline J. K. , Milev Roumen V. 
Published: February 2021

Background: A growing body of research has shown that consumption of probiotics can improve symptoms associated with mood and anxiety disorders through activity of the gut-brain axis. However, the effects of probiotics have yet to be tested in a clinical sample of treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The aim of this 8-week, open-label pilot study is to examine changes in depressive symptoms before and after the introduction of a probiotic supplement in 10 treatment-naïve MDD patients and to provide data on the feasibility of conducting a larger double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the same patient population. Here we report on the clinical outcome measures of the study.Methods: Participants recruited from the community in Kingston, Ontario, Canada consumed a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 (CEREBIOME®) at a dose of 3 × 109 CFU once per day for 8 weeks. Clinical symptoms of depression were measured using a validated battery of clinical scales and self-report questionnaires (CAN-BIND protocol). Data was collected at baseline, week 4, and week 8.Results: Significant improvements in affective clinical symptoms were observed at week 4 and were sustained at week 8. Significant improvements in subjective sleep quality were observed by week 8. No side effects or adverse effects associated with the probiotic supplement were observed.Conclusions: The findings from this study support the existing evidence in this emerging field for probiotics having a role in alleviating symptoms of depression in treatment-naïve, moderately depressed patients and indicate that the probiotic supplement is safe and well-tolerated in this population. However, further comprehensive studies are required to draw conclusions.
Perceived Neighborhood Crime Safety Moderates the Association Between Racial Discrimination Stress and Chronic Health Conditions Among Hispanic/Latino Adults
Authors: Budd Elizabeth L. , Giuliani Nicole R. , Kelly Nichole R. 
Published: February 2021

Background:Little is known about the link between perceived neighborhood walkability and prevalence of chronic disease. Even less is known regarding this association among Hispanic/Latino adults, despite exhibiting high rates of chronic diseases. Stress due to racial discrimination is a harmful social determinant of health in Hispanics/Latinos. Having both low perceived neighborhood walkability and high racial discrimination stress may exacerbate the chronic disease status of Hispanics/Latinos. Among a U.S. national sample of Hispanic/Latino adults, this cross-sectional study aims to examine (1) the associations among overall perceived neighborhood walkability, racial discrimination stress, and having a chronic health condition; and (2) whether overall perceived neighborhood walkability moderates the hypothesized association between racial discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition.Methods:In January 2018, 798 Hispanic/Latino adults (Mage = 39.7 years, SD = 15.1; 58.6% female; 70.0% U.S. born; 52.0% Mexican/Mexican American) responded to a survey via Qualtrics Panels. Surveys included the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated, Hispanic Stress Inventory-2, and self-reported presence/absence of chronic health conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease). A logistic regression was conducted testing for the moderation of the main effect of racial discrimination stress on the presence of a chronic health condition by overall perceived neighborhood walkability.Results:After controlling for age, body mass index, and income, racial discrimination stress was inversely associated with overall perceived neighborhood walkability (b= −0.18,p&lt; 0.001) and positively associated with having a chronic health condition (OR = 1.02; 95% CI [1.00, 1.03]). While overall perceived neighborhood walkability was not associated with having a chronic health condition, perceived crime safety was inversely associated with having a chronic health condition (OR = 0.94; 95% CI [0.89, 0.99]). Perceived crime safety moderated the positive association between discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition, such that the association was only significant among those who perceived their neighborhood to be less safe (β = −0.004, 95% CI [−0.01, −0.00]).Conclusions:Overall perceived neighborhood walkability was inversely associated with racial discrimination stress, but not associated with having a chronic health condition. Perceived neighborhood crime safety, but not infrastructure or aesthetics, matters when it comes to the link between racial discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition among Hispanics/Latinos.
The Role of Series Cholecystectomy in High Risk Acute Cholecystitis Patients Who Underwent Gallbladder Drainage
Authors: Wang Chi-Chih , Tseng Ming-Hseng , Wu Sheng-Wen , Yang Tzu-Wei , Sung Wen-Wei , Wang Yao-Tung , Lee Hsiang-Lin , Shiu Bei-Hao , Lin Chun-Che , Tsai Ming-Chang 
Published: February 2021

Background:Cholecystectomy (CCY) is the only definitive therapy for acute cholecystitis. We conducted this study to evaluate which patients may not benefit from further CCY after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) has been performed in acute cholecystitis patients.Methods:Acute cholecystitis patients with PTGBD treatment were selected from one million random samples from the National Health Insurance Research Database obtained between January 2004 and December 2010. Recurrent biliary events (RBEs), RBE-related medical costs, RBE-related mortality rate and an RBE-free survival curve were compared in patients who accepted CCY within 2 months and patients without CCY within 2 months after the index admission.Results:Three hundred and sixty-five acute cholecystitis patients underwent PTGBD at the index admission. A total of 190 patients underwent further CCY within 2 months after the index admission. The other 175 patients did not accept further CCY within 2 months after the index admission. RBE-free survival was significantly better in the CCY within 2 months group (60 vs. 42%,p&lt; 0.001). The RBE-free survival of the CCY within 2 months group was similar to that of the no CCY within 2 months group in patients ≥ 80 years old and patients with a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score ≥ 9.Conclusions:We confirmed CCY after PTGBD reduced RBEs, RBE-related medical expenses, and the RBE-related mortality rate in patients with acute cholecystitis. In patients who accepted PTGBD, the RBE and survival benefits of subsequent CCY within 2 months became insignificant in patients ≥ 80 years old or with a CCI score ≥ 9.
The Association Between the Use of Oclacitinib and Antibacterial Therapy in Dogs With Allergic Dermatitis: A Retrospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Rynhoud Hester , Gibson Justine S. , Meler Erika , Soares Magalhães Ricardo J. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Canine allergic dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis, often requires antibacterial therapy for concurrent infections. Oclacitinib is indicated for treatment of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and the clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis in dogs aged ≥12 months.Hypothesis/Objectives: We aimed to determine if there was a quantitative difference in antibacterial use by dogs with allergic dermatitis receiving oclacitinib vs. other anti-pruritic therapies and before vs. after oclacitinib.Animals: In this retrospective case-control study, cases (n = 58) included dogs suffering from allergic dermatitis aged ≥12 months receiving oclacitinib and controls (n = 205) were counterpart dogs treated with other anti-pruritic therapies.Methods: Clinical histories of dogs with allergic dermatitis were collected from a small animal university hospital. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed adjusting for underlying skin or ear conditions to determine whether cases were prescribed fewer antibacterials than controls.Results: The odds of systemic antibacterial usage were lower in cases vs. controls [odds ratio (OR): 0.29 (95% confidence interval 0.12–0.71); P = 0.007]. The odds of amoxycillin clavulanic acid usage (12.5–25 mg/kg orally every 12 h) was lower in cases vs. controls [OR: 0.08 (0.01–0.71); P = 0.024]. Topical antibacterial drug use was reduced overall; however, only the odds of neomycin use was lower in cases vs. controls [OR: 0.3 (0.1–0.89); P = 0.029]. Cases had higher odds of experiencing improvements in allergic dermatitis categories vs. controls [OR: 7.89 (3.26–19.13); P &lt; 0.001].Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Our results suggest that use of oclacitinib to treat allergic dermatitis in dogs is associated with less antibacterial use than other anti-pruritic therapies.
Niveles de productividad operacional. Caso Laboratorios de Ingeniería Mecánica de las Universidades Públicas región Zulia-Venezuela
Authors: Antunez Jorge 
Published: February 2021

El objetivo del presente trabajo se enmarca en describir los niveles de productividad operacional existente en los laboratorios de ingeniería mecánica de las universidades públicas región Zulia-Venezuela. La metodología se contextualiza dentro de un tipo descriptiva, con diseño de campo, transeccional y no experimental. La población estuvo constituida por 77 profesores que laboran en los laboratorios. Se utiliza como técnica la encuesta y como instrumento un cuestionario de 9 ítems con escala tipo Lickert. La validación se realizó a través del juicio de expertos y la confiabilidad mediante el coeficiente de Alpha de Cronbach, obteniéndose un valor de 0,91. La media aritmética se utiliza para el análisis de los resultados. Se destaca la productividad del trabajo como el mejor nivel para describir las actividades realizadas en el laboratorio con el personal existente y la cantidad de tiempo invertido en elaborar las prácticas.
Cultura tra sacro e profano
Authors: Adamski Franciszek 
Published: February 2021

II secolo XX, chiamato secolo delle Ideologie, e - per quanto riguarda il nostro punto di vista - un secolo di particolari tensioni fra la religione e l a cultura. II modelio della cultura dominante da alcune decine di anni
cerca ispirazione concentrandosi sul mondo materiale, riducendo il campo di conoscenza alle dimensioni strettamente meccanicistiche, imponendo gli orizzonti puramente positivistici. Le conseguenze di qoesta tendenza - scrive Z. Zdybicka - si sono fatte sentire in tutti i campi dell'attività dell'uomo. E stata infatti escogitata un'utopia tecnica che mirava a trasformare il volto del mondo, a crearlo in qualche senso da capo. Secondo questa visione ideale la nuova realta sarebbe esclusivamente temporale, misurabile, totalmente percettibile attraverso l'esperienza sensibile dell'uomo. La scienza formata sul modelio proposto dalle scienze matematico-naturali dovrebbe garantire agli uomini una sapienza profonda e universale e, grazie alla loro capacita di dominare le forze della natura e alla loro conoscenza delle leggi che regolano la vita sociale e alla sapiente applicazione delle stnitture tecnico-legali - farii diventare persino onnipotenti.
Stanisław Głaz. Zagadnienie doświadczenia religijnego (Próba syntezy) [The Problem of Religious Experience. Attempt of synthesis]
Authors: Wider Dominik 
Published: February 2021

We are taught by history and our life experience that many people, of different denominations and various races, naturally and spontaneously seek for an ideal for their lives and an absolute value, which could provide meaning for their existence. This search is very often caused by a kind of longing for something mysterious. And man's aiming at an ideal and his identification with it to some extent is natural. Man, therefore, in his earthly journey can pause to look at some value in a special way, regard it as his ideal fulfilling his expectations, to live for this value in a way, organise his life around it and take advantages of this value.
Chemical water softening systems with a contact media blanket (a review)
Authors: Рябчиков Б.Е. , Пантелеев А.А. , Касаточкин А.С. , Ларионов С.Ю. 
Published: February 2021

Реагентное умягчение питьевой воды используется достаточно редко из-за трудности приготовления реагентов, поддержания необходимой и постоянной температуры воды, сложности установок и их обслуживания в условиях водозаборного узла. Особая проблема состоит в утилизации отходов переработки. В середине прошлого века начали использовать так называемые вихревые реакторы с контактной загрузкой, имеющие значительно большую производительность и не требующие подогрева воды. В них образуются твердые гранулы карбоната кальция, что соответствует современной концепции zero liquid discharge, т. е. бессточной технологии. В России они разрабатывались во ВНИИ ВОДГЕО, но не получили широкого распространения. Следующим шагом стала разработка реакторов с псевдоожиженным слоем контактной загрузки. Эти аппараты достаточно широко используются в Европе и США. В настоящее время АО «НПК «Медиана-Фильтр» проводит работы по созданию и исследованию таких реакторов. Они имеют высокую удельную производительность – 50–100 м3/(м2‧ч) – и существенно проще в обслуживании, чем осветлители. Производительность установок достигает тысяч кубометров в час. В обзоре рассмотрены стадии развития, пути усовершенствования реакторов, их преимущества и недостатки.
Chemical softening of drinking water is used quite rarely due to the difficulty of preparing chemicals, maintaining the required and constant water temperature, complicated design and maintenance of the installations under the conditions of a water intake. A particular problem is waste utilization. In the middle of the last century, so-called vortex reactors with contact media began to be used that had a significantly higher capacity and did not require water heating. In the reactors solid granules of carbonate are generated, which is equivalent to the modern concept of zero liquid discharge, i. e., closed cycle technology. In Russia, they were designed at VNII VODGEO; however, did not gain widespread use. The next step was the development of reactors with fluidized bed of contact media. These apparatuses are widely used in Europe and the USA. At present, Mediana-Filter SPC, JSC is busy with designing and studying such reactors. They have a high specific capacity – 50–100 m3/(m2‧h) – and are much easier to operate and maintain than clarifiers. The capacity of the plants reaches thousands of cubic meters per hour. The review considers the stages of development, ways of improving the reactors, their advantages and disadvantages
Study of open circuit voltage loss mechanism in perovskite solar cells
Authors: He Yulu , Abdellaoui Imane , Abdel-Shakour M. , Chowdhury Towhid Hossain , Kamarudin Muhammad Akmal , Nogueira Ana Flávia , Shen Qing , Hayase Shuzi , Islam Ashraful , Sakurai Takeaki 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Open circuit voltage (V
oc) loss within perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is undesirable as it reduces the power conversion efficiency of these devices. This report proposes a useful method to study V
oc loss mechanisms based on experimental samples. V
oc in the radiative limit (

V

oc

rad

) of devices is estimated by combining the detailed balance theory and the van Roosbroeck–Shockley relation. Furthermore, V
oc loss from bulk recombination can be quantified by introducing the bulk lifetime. Thus, the V
oc loss from bulk recombination of MAPbI3 and FASnI3 was estimated as 0.094 V and 0.061 V, respectively. The analysis helps distinguish and quantify the V
oc loss of PSCs.
Theoretical study on optimization criterion of the triple RESURF lateral power devices via virtual junction concept
Authors: Wang Haidong , Guo Yufeng , Zhang Jun , Zhang Maolin , Chen Jing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The triple reduced surface field (T-RESURF) technique allows the drift region to achieve a much higher doping concentration while maintaining its breakdown voltage unaffected. Yet, as a result of the missing design guidance, the optimization of the T-RESURF effect is difficult to be realized in practice. In light of that, in this paper, the Virtual Junction Concept is proposed to provide the optimization criterion and explore physical insight of the T-RESURF effect. The proposed method bypasses the complicated 2D analysis by equivalenting the 2D drift region to a 1D virtual junction. The effectiveness and correctness of such a method are validated by the good agreement between modeled and simulated results. Benefit from its simplicity and veracity, the proposed method can not only conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on the T-RESURF effect but also capable of providing design guidance and optimization criterion.
Optical link stabilization by controlling focus of received beam in mini-unmanned aerial vehicle-to-ground free-space optical communications
Authors: Nakayama Tomoko , Takayama Yoshihisa , Fujikawa Chiemi , Kodate Kashiko 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To stabilize an optical link, in this study, we propose to control the focus of the received laser beam in free-space optical (FSO) communications between mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground stations. Numerical calculations confirm that the coupling efficiency of the received laser beam to an optical fiber (OF) at the ground station is improved by compensating for the shift in the received beam’s focal position caused by the movement of the mini-UAV. Additionally, we conduct an outdoor experiment in which a laser beam is transmitted between two ground positions under the influence of atmospheric turbulence. This experiment indicates the feasibility of controlling the focus of the received beam in realistic environments. These results are expected to significantly contribute to the stabilization of optical links in mini-UAV-to-ground FSO communications.
An improved design of lamb wave EMAT for A0 wave generation and enhancement
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Wu Yunxin , Wu Yutang , Cai Zhuang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A new structure of Lamb wave electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer (EMAT) is proposed in this work to suppress S0 mode Lamb wave (S0 wave) and enhance A0 mode lamb wave (A0 wave). The new EMAT consists of periodic magnet and meander-coil. Finite element models are established to analyze the static magnetic field and the excited ultrasonic signal. As a result, the local static magnetic field of the new EMAT is increased. S0 wave is suppressed obviously by new EMAT while A0 wave is enhanced significantly. Besides, the new EMAT structure is optimized. Finally, experiment has been performed on 2 mm thick aluminum. The experiment has verified that the amplitude of the A0 wave signal obtained by using new EMAT is increased by a factor of about 9.33. Besides, the experiment results have shown that the S0 wave obtained by using new EMAT is suppressed to be almost submerged in noise.
Developing an optimization algorithm for diagnostic modeling of optical emission spectroscopic measurement of non-equilibrium plasmas based on the argon collisional-radiative model
Authors: Yamashita Yuya , Akiba Takuya , Iwanaga Toshihide , Yamaoka Hidehiko , Date Shuichi , Akatsuka Hiroshi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this work, an optimization algorithm was proposed for plasma diagnostic modeling based on a statistical analysis of reduced population density distribution. The algorithm generates a diagnostic equation, whose input parameters are the radiant flux of the multi-optical emission lines, and output parameters are electron temperature T
e, electron density N
e, and electron energy distribution function (EEDF), based on the dependence of reduced population density onT
e, N
e, and EEDF. The argon collisional-radiative model and the generalized EEDF were applied for the analysis of the excitation-kinetics. In this study, the diagnostic error for the low-pressure inductively coupled plasma, the low-pressure microwave discharge surface wave plasma, and the atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma were simulated. The simulated diagnostic errors were smaller than those of the previously reported model.
Particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision simulation and experimental measurement of Ar plasma in a fast atom beam source for surface-activated bonding
Authors: Morisaki Ryo , Yamazaki Takahiro , Oka Chiemi , Sakurai Junpei , Hirai Takami , Takahashi Tomonori , Tsuji Hiroyuki , Ohno Noriyasu , Hata Seiichi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Ar plasma in a fast atom beam (FAB) source with magnetic fields, which was previously developed [Precis. Eng. 62, 106 (2020)] to achieve high-performance surface activated bonding, was analyzed by particle-in-cell-Monte Carlo collision simulation and experimental measurements. Simulation in the proposed FAB source with magnetic fields shows that higher electron density accumulation occurs near the irradiation port by E × B drift, and the potential gradient near the irradiation port steepens, which results in an increase in Ar+ flux to the irradiation port. The variation in the plasma distribution due to the effect of the magnetic field contributes to an increase in the amount of Ar-FAB irradiation, which reduces erosion of the carbon electrodes and suppresses the formation of carbon agglomerates. These simulation results were verified experimentally with Langmuir probe measurements and FAB irradiation experiments with oxide layer removal. The analysis results explain why high performance is achieved with the proposed FAB source.
Measurement of interfacial properties among fluids by micro-droplets observation
Authors: Yokota Ryohsuke , Hirano Taichi , Mitani Shujiro , Sakai Keiji 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Shapes of 30 micron-droplets floating on liquid surface are observed. When a microdroplet ejected from an inkjet nozzle impinges on the immiscible liquid surface, we can observe the stable shape of the floating droplet after 200 μs from the touchdown. We observed the shapes of the upper and lower sides of the droplet simultaneously with two microscopes and analyzed the profile of the droplet. Considering the line tension acting on the three-phase contact line, we succeeded in explaining the experimental shape of the floating microdroplet on the liquid surface.
A micro hexapod robot for swarm applications assembled from a single FPC sheet
Authors: Asamura Kazuto , Nagasawa Sumito 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In recent years, micro robots have been actively studied for swarm applications. For example, micro hexapod robots have remarkable mobility on rough terrains. To apply micro hexapod robots in swarm explorations, the fabrication costs of the robots must be reduced. In this study, we propose a hexapod robot for swarm applications, assembled from a single flexible printed circuit (FPC) sheet. The necessary components for swarm applications (the body frame, legs, micro actuators, walking linkages, driving circuits, and microcontroller) are integrated into one FPC sheet. Our robot is assembled by folding one FPC sheet, and eliminating the need to handle and align multiple components during assembly. Thus, the robot can be fabricated cost effectively in short time. Moreover, we perform a driving test of the walking linkage and a walking test of the hexapod robot to demonstrate its effectiveness.