bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of solar-based oxidation to the management of empty pesticide container rinse water in Bolivia
Authors: Mencia Torrico Raquel , Micó Reche María del Mar , Cruz Alcalde Alberto , Romero Olarte Rossmary Violette , Antezana Fernández Henry , Álvarez Caero María Mercedes , Sans Mazón Carmen 
Published: June 2021

Background: The management of empty pesticide containers (EPC) in Bolivia has been recently promoted as a control strategy for dispersed pollution in surface and underground water bodies, as well as in soil. It comprises the rinsing and proper disposal or reuse of clean EPC. However, the rinsing transfers the hazard to water, which must be properly treated before being discharged. Methods: In this study, solar photo-Fenton at low Fe2+ doses were tested at pilot plant scale in Cochabamba (Bolivia) for the removal of pesticides dimethoate and atrazine in their commercial form, spiked in river water. Results: The results demonstrated that solar photo-Fenton ([H2O2]0 = 200 mg L-1) with Fe2+ concentrations between 0.5 and 1.5 mg L-1 is an effective method to remove dimethoate and atrazine, at an initial concentration of 10 mg L-1 each. Efficiency increased when increasing Fe2+ doses, achieving a removal over 99% of both pesticides after a solar irradiation period of 60 minutes (corresponding to an accumulated energy of 4.96 kJ L-1). Conclusions: The presence of high concentrations of natural components of river water, mainly organic and inorganic carbon species, would have contributed to hydroxyl radical scavenging, explaining, together with the low iron dose applied, the high energy (irradiation time) and high hydrogen peroxide concentration required to produce pesticide depletion. Additionally, the relatively low oxidant consumption and mineralization observed leave room for process optimization regarding oxidant and catalyst doses and warrant further studies on its coupling with biological or other post-treatments for the removal of transformation products.
Hematological consequences of malaria in mice previously treated for visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Rani Gulab Fatima , Ashwin Helen , Brown Najmeeyah , Hitchcock Ian S. , Kaye Paul M. 
Published: June 2021

Background: Polyparasitism is commonplace in countries where endemicity for multiple parasites exists, and studies in animal models of coinfection have made significant inroads into understanding the impact of often competing demands on the immune system. However, few studies have addressed how previous exposure to and treatment for one infection impacts a subsequent heterologous infection. Methods: We used a C57BL/6 mouse model of drug-treated Leishmania donovani infection followed by experimental Plasmodium chabaudi AS malaria, focusing on hematological dysfunction as a common attribute of both infections. We measured parasite burden, blood parameters associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia, and serum thrombopoietin. In addition, we quantified macrophage iNOS expression through immunohistological analysis of the liver and spleen. Results: We found that the thrombocytopenia and anemia that accompanies primary L. donovani infection was rapidly reversed following single dose AmBisome® treatment, along with multiple other markers associated with immune activation (including restoration of tissue microarchitecture and reduced macrophage iNOS expression). Compared to naive mice, mice cured of previous L. donovani infection showed comparable albeit delayed clinical responses (including peak parasitemia and anemia) to P. chabaudi AS infection. Thrombocytopenia was also evident in these sequentially infected mice, consistent with a decrease in circulating levels of thrombopoietin. Architectural changes to the spleen were also comparable in sequentially infected mice compared to those with Plasmodium infection alone. Conclusions: Our data suggest that in this sequential infection model, previously-treated L. donovani infection has limited impact on the subsequent development of Plasmodium infection, but this issue deserves further attention in models of more severe disease or through longitudinal population studies in humans.
Desigualdad social y políticas públicas: impacto del Covid-19 en España
Authors: Oliver Miguel Ángel 
Published: June 2021

El Covid-19 si bien representa una pandemia global, sus efectos se reparten de manera desigual. España es uno de los países del continente europeo donde mayor ha resultado, hasta el momento, el impacto de la misma a nivel económico, sanitario y social. En este escenario cabe preguntarse: ¿cuál era el contexto socioeconómico de España con la llegada del Covid-19? ¿Qué medidas se adoptaron a partir de la crisis de 2008 en el Estado español? ¿En qué sentido han evolucionado las Políticas Públicas desde entonces? Algunas reflexiones en torno a estas preguntas señalan la existencia de déficits estructurales en diversas áreas, pero también que las respuestas políticas a la crisis de 2008, contribuyeron a acentuar con la adopción de medidas de austeridad favorecedoras de los intereses de clase, la desigualdad social existente, debiendo también por ello ser consideradas elementos esenciales de análisis en el impacto del Covid-19 en España. Palabras clave: desigualdad social; pandemia; España; políticas públicas, servicios sociales.
Evaluation of Novel Portable Passive and Cabinet Solar Dryers in Sun Drying of Mint Leaves under Indiana Weather Conditions
Authors: Ramirez-Gutierrez Diana M. , Ileleji Klein E. , Deering Amanda J. 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsThe Page model best predicted the drying rates of mint leaves in thin-layer laboratory experiments under cyclical temperature change and in field experiments using open-air sun drying and Dehytray and Dehymeleon solar dryers.The total time for drying mint leaves with all solar drying methods was the same (48 h).For all drying methods, the aerobic bacterial count was significantly less on dried mint leaves than on fresh leaves.Color change was less impacted by sunlight with the Dehymeleon than with the Dehytray and open-air sun drying.Abstract. The drying kinetics and quality attributes of mint leaves (Mentha spitaca) were studied to determine the drying performance of two solar drying technologies (Dehymeleon V.2 and Dehytray) and their effect on dried mint quality. Field drying experiments were carried out under weather conditions at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Thin-layer laboratory drying experiments were conducted for whole mint leaves at three temperatures [24°C (75°F), 35°C (95°F), and 54°C (130°F)] and airflow velocity of 1 m s-1 to determine the drying kinetics for the diurnal cycles typical for solar drying. The Page model was the most suitable model to predict the drying behavior of mint leaves for both the lab and field experiments. Even though the drying rate was higher with open-air sun drying on uncovered Dehytrays than with covered Dehytrays and the Dehymeleon, the total drying time for all methods was the same (48 h). Color change in mint leaves was less impacted by sunlight for mint leaves dried using the Dehymeleon, while the Dehytray and open-air sun drying had similar results due to their exposure to direct sunlight. For all drying methods, the aerobic bacterial count was significantly less for dried mint leaves than for fresh mint leaves. The log reductions in aerobic bacterial count achieved with open-air sun drying, Dehymeleon, and Dehytray were 0.47, 2.3, and 0.40, respectively. Keywords: Diffusion, Drying kinetics, Food quality, Mint leaves, Solar drying, Sun drying, Thin-layer drying.
Predicting Particle Separation and Sieve Blinding During Wheat Flour Sifting
Authors: Siliveru Kaliramesh , Ambrose R. P. Kingsly 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsWheat flour cohesion was modeled using the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact model.The size-based separation was highly influenced by particle size, particle roughness, cohesion, and sieve opening size.Sieve blinding happened at 15.25 and 10.32 s of sieving for hard red winter (HRW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat flour particles, respectively.Abstract. Sifting or size-based separation of flour particles is an important operation in the wheat milling process. During the separation process, the flour particles often behave as imperfect solids with discontinuous flow and tend to form agglomerates due to interparticle cohesion. Interparticle cohesion in flours is highly dependent on the particle physical and chemical parameters and influences the sieving process. This study presents the development of a discrete element method (DEM) model to predict the size-based separation of wheat flours at 10% and 14% moisture contents (wet basis). DEM models of the size-based separation process were developed using the Hertz-Mindlin contact model. To account for the interparticle cohesion, the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model was coupled with the contact model. The size-based separation of hard red winter (HRW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat flours was simulated and then validated using lab-scale experiments. Both the modeling and experimental approaches indicated that the percent particle separation was higher in the sieves with larger openings. Particle size, roughness, and cohesion affected the size-based separation in sieves with smaller openings. The model simulation results for the percent mass retained on the screens and the sieve blinding time were comparable with the experimental results. The standard error of prediction (SEP) ranged from 0.13 to 8.27, which indicates that this approach will be useful to predict the size-based separation of cohesive fine particles. The developed model will also be useful to estimate the sieve blinding time during sifting processes. Keywords: Cohesion, Johnson-Kendall-Roberts model, Sifting, Wheat milling.
Discrete Element-Based Optimization Parameters of an Experimental Corn Silage Crushing and Throwing Device
Authors: Bai Shenghe , Yang Qizhi , Niu Kang , Zhao Bo , Zhou Liming , Yuan Yanwei 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsA discrete element simulation model was used to improve the performance of a corn silage crushing and throwing device.Feed rate, crushing speed, and dial speed were used as the test factors, and the average cutting force and average energy loss were used as the evaluation indexes in orthogonal testing.The order of significance of the factors was crushing speed &gt; feed rate &gt; dial speed for average cutting force and crushing speed &gt; dial speed &gt; feed rate for average energy loss.Abstract. To improve the performance of a corn silage crushing and throwing device and address the problems of low crushing quality and high power consumption, a discrete element simulation model of a corn silage crushing and throwing device and granular straw was established based on discrete element theory using EDEM, a general-purpose CAE software program designed with modern discrete element model technology to simulate and analyze particle processing and production operations. The average cutting force and average energy loss of the particles were the evaluation indexes, and the influence of feed rate, crushing speed, and dial speed on the evaluation indexes was analyzed using single-factor simulation tests. The order of significance was crushing speed &gt; feed rate &gt; dial speed for the average cutting force and crushing speed &gt; dial speed &gt; feed rate for the average energy loss. Using multi-objective optimization, the optimal combination of feed rate, crushing speed, and dial speed was 3.52 kg s-1, 892.06 rpm, and 1502 rpm, respectively. With the optimal parameters, the average cutting force was 58.20 N and the average energy loss was 0.85 J. To verify the feasibility of the EDEM simulation, field tests were conducted using a trial-produced device, with the acceptability of straw crushing and power consumption as the test indicators. During the field tests, the feed rate, crushing speed, and dial speed were set to 3.52 kg s-1, 890 rpm, and 1500 rpm, respectively. The field tests showed that the acceptability of straw crushing and the power consumption were 93.60% and 6.73 kW·h, respectively, with the optimal parameters, which satisfied the corn silage crushing standard and provides a theoretical and scientific basis for the design and optimization of the device. Keywords: Corn silage, Crushing and throwing device, Discrete element simulation, Motion simulation, Multi-objective optimization method.
Correlation between renal distribution of leptospires during the acute phase and chronic renal dysfunction in a hamster model of infection with Leptospira interrogans
Authors: Maruoka Tsukasa , Nikaido Yasuhiko , Miyahara Satoshi , Katafuchi Eisuke , Inamasu Yoshinori , Ogawa Midori , Fukuda Kazumasa , Nakayama Toshiyuki , Horishita Takafumi , Saito Mitsumasa 
Published: June 2021

Background
Leptospirosis has been described as a biphasic disease consisting of hematogenous dissemination to major organs in the acute phase and asymptomatic renal colonization in the chronic phase. Several observational studies have suggested an association between leptospirosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated the dynamics of leptospires and histopathological changes in the kidney to understand the relationship between them, and also investigated the extent of renal dysfunction in the acute and chronic phases of leptospirosis using a hamster model.

Findings
Hamsters (n = 68) were subcutaneously infected with 1 × 104 cells of the Leptospira interrogans serovar Manilae strain UP-MMC-SM. A total of 53 infected hamsters developed fatal acute leptospirosis, and the remaining 15 hamsters recovered from the acute phase, 13 of which showed Leptospira colonization in the kidneys in the chronic phase. Five asymptomatic hamsters also had renal colonization in the chronic phase. Immunofluorescence staining showed that leptospires were locally distributed in the renal interstitium in the early acute phase and then spread continuously into the surrounding interstitium. The kidneys of the surviving hamsters in the chronic phase showed patchy lesions of atrophic tubules, a finding of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, which were substantially consistent with the distribution of leptospires in the renal interstitium. The degree of atrophic tubules in kidney sections correlated statistically with the serum creatinine level in the chronic phase (rs = 0.78, p = 0.01).

Conclusion
Subcutaneous infection with pathogenic leptospires could cause acute death or chronic leptospirosis in hamsters after surviving the acute phase. We suggest that the renal distribution of leptospires during the acute phase probably affected the extent of tubular atrophy, leading to CKD.
Repeatability of corneal and epithelial thickness measurements with anterior segment optical coherence tomography in keratoconus
Authors: Li Ye , Gokul Akilesh , McGhee Charles , Ziaei Mohammed 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
To investigate the repeatability in corneal thickness (CT) and epithelial thickness (ET) measurements using spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT, REVO NX, Optopol) in keratoconus, and examine the effect of corneal crosslinking (CXL) on repeatability.

Methods
A cross-sectional study of 259 eyes of 212 patients with keratoconus attending the corneal disease clinic at a university hospital tertiary referral center were enrolled. Two groups were analysed: eyes with no prior history of CXL (Group A) and eyes with prior CXL (Group B). Repeatability of measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV).

Results
In Group A, central corneal thickness (CCT) was 472.18 ± 45.41μm, and the ET was found to be the thinnest in the inferior-temporal aspect at 51.79 ± 5.97μm and thickest at the superior-nasal aspect at 56.07 ± 5.70μm. In Group B, CCT was 465.11± 42.28μm, and the ET was the thinnest at the inferior-temporal aspect at 50.63 ± 5.52μm and thickest at the superior aspect at 56.80 ± 6.39μm. When evaluating CT measurements, ICC was above 0.86 and 0.83 for Group A and Group B respectively. When evaluating ET measurements, ICC was above 0.82 for both groups. CXL had no statistically significant impact on the repeatability of measurements.

Conclusions
AS-OCT provides repeatable CT and ET measurements in the central and peripheral cornea in patients with keratoconus. Repeatability is not affected by a history of CXL.
Insulin resistance genetic risk score and burden of coronary artery disease in patients referred for coronary angiography
Authors: Skals Regitze , Krogager Maria Lukács , Appel Emil Vincent R. , Schnurr Theresia M. , Have Christian Theil , Gislason Gunnar , Poulsen Henrik Enghusen , Køber Lars , Engstrøm Thomas , Stender Steen , Hansen Torben , Grarup Niels , Lee Christina Ji-Young , Andersson Charlotte , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Weeke Peter E. 
Published: June 2021

Aims
Insulin resistance associates with development of metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular disease. The link between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease is complex and multifactorial. Confirming the genetic link between insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease, as well as the extent of coronary artery disease, is important and may provide better risk stratification for patients at risk. We investigated whether a genetic risk score of 53 single nucleotide polymorphisms known to be associated with insulin resistance phenotypes was associated with diabetes and burden of coronary artery disease.

Methods and results
We genotyped patients with a coronary angiography performed in the capital region of Denmark from 2010–2014 and constructed a genetic risk score of the 53 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Logistic regression using quartiles of the genetic risk score was performed to determine associations with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Associations with the extent of coronary artery disease, defined as one-, two- or three-vessel coronary artery disease, was determined by multinomial logistic regression.
We identified 4,963 patients, of which 17% had diabetes and 55% had significant coronary artery disease. Of the latter, 27%, 14% and 14% had one, two or three-vessel coronary artery disease, respectively. No significant increased risk of diabetes was identified comparing the highest genetic risk score quartile with the lowest. An increased risk of coronary artery disease was found for patients with the highest genetic risk score quartile in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, OR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.42, p = 0.02) and 1.25 (95% CI 1.06, 1.48, p<0.01), respectively. In the adjusted multinomial logistic regression, patients in the highest genetic risk score quartile were more likely to develop three-vessel coronary artery disease compared with patients in the lowest genetic risk score quartile, OR 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.82, p<0.01).

Conclusions
Among patients referred for coronary angiography, only a strong genetic predisposition to insulin resistance was associated with risk of coronary artery disease and with a greater disease burden.
Quantifying frequency content in cross-sectional retinal scans of diabetics vs. controls
Authors: Papay Joel A. , Elsner Ann E. 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
To examine subtle differences in the structure of diabetic vs. control retinas.

Methods
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images were compared for the retinas of 33 diabetic subjects who did not have clinical evidence of diabetic macular edema and age-matched controls, with central macular thicknesses of 275 and 276 microns, respectively. Cross-sectional retinal images through the fovea, called B-scans, were analyzed for spatial frequency content. The B-scans were processed to remove and smooth the portions of the retinal image not within regions of interest in the retina. The remaining retinal images were then quantified using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) approach that provided amplitude as a function of spatial frequency.

Results
The FFT analysis showed that diabetic retinas had spatial frequency content with significantly higher power compared to control retinas particularly for a deeper fundus layer at mid-range spatial frequencies, ranging from p = 0.0030 to 0.0497 at 16.8 to 18.2 microns/cycle. There was lower power at higher spatial frequencies, ranging from p = 0.0296 and 0.0482 at 27.4 and 29.0 microns/cycle. The range of mid-range frequencies corresponds to the sizes of small blood vessel abnormalities and hard exudates. Retinal thickness did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions
Diabetic retinas, although not thicker than controls, had subtle but quantifiable pattern changes in SD-OCT images particularly in deeper fundus layers. The size range and distribution of this pattern in diabetic eyes were consistent with small blood vessel abnormalities and leakage of lipid and fluid. Feature-based biomarkers may augment retinal thickness criteria for management of diabetic eye complications, and may detect early changes.
COVID-19 in persons aged 70+ in an early affected German district: Risk factors, mortality and post-COVID care needs—A retrospective observational study of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients
Authors: Herrmann Matthias L. , Hahn Johannes-Martin , Walter-Frank Birgit , Bollinger Desiree M. , Schmauder Kristina , Schnauder Günter , Bitzer Michael , Malek Nisar P. , Eschweiler Gerhard W. , Göpel Siri 
Published: June 2021

Background
Cohorts of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have been studied in several countries since the beginning of the pandemic. So far, there is no complete survey of older patients in a German district that includes both outpatients and inpatients. In this retrospective observational cohort study, we aimed to investigate risk factors, mortality, and functional outcomes of all patients with COVID-19 aged 70 and older living in the district of Tübingen in the southwest of Germany.

Methods
We retrospectively analysed all 256 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in one of the earliest affected German districts during the first wave of the disease from February to April 2020. To ensure inclusion of all infected patients, we analysed reported data from the public health department as well as the results of a comprehensive screening intervention in all nursing homes of the district (n = 1169). Furthermore, we examined clinical data of all hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (n = 109).

Results
The all-cause mortality was 18%. Screening in nursing homes showed a point-prevalence of 4.6%. 39% of residents showed no COVID-specific symptoms according to the official definition at that time. The most important predictors of mortality were the need for inpatient treatment (odds ratio (OR): 3.95 [95%-confidence interval (CI): 2.00–7.86], p<0.001) and care needs before infection (non-hospitalized patients: OR: 3.79 [95%-CI: 1.01–14.27], p = 0.037, hospitalized patients: OR: 2.89 [95%-CI 1.21–6.92], p = 0.015). Newly emerged care needs were a relevant complication of COVID-19: 27% of previously self-sufficient patients who survived the disease were not able to return to their home environment after discharge from the hospital.

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate the importance of a differentiated view of risk groups and long-term effects within the older population. These findings should be included in the political and social debate during the ongoing pandemic to evaluate the true effect of COVID-19 on healthcare systems and individual functional status.