bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two transurethral endoscopic modalities used in treatment of bladder stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis for randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gou Liping , Wang Zhenghao , Zhou Ye , Zheng Xiaofeng 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the safety and efficiency of nephroscope and cystoscope in transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL) for bladder stones.
Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and the Cochrane library databases (updated January 2021) were searched for studies that assessed the efficacy of different types of endoscopes in TUCL cases. The search strategy and study selection process was managed according to the PRISMA statement.
Results: Five randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Our result showed no significant differences in the stone free rate (SFR) across the studies (RR= 1.00; CI 0.98–1.02, p = 1.00). The study heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, P = 1.00) was not significant as all patients were rendered stone free. Using nephroscope can significantly shorten operation times compared to the use of cystoscopy (RR= -26.26; CI -35.84 – -16.68, p < 0.00001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 =87%, p < 0.00001). There was no significant difference between mean urethral entries (RR= 0.66; CI -0.71 – -2.04, p = 0.35), hospitalization (MD = 0.08, 95% CI = -0.07-0.23; P=0.31) and the total complication rate (RR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.47-4.00, p=0.56).
Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrated that using are highly efficient approaches in the clearance of bladder stones and result in a low rate of complication and short hospitalization times. The mean urethral entries are dependent on the treatment method for large stone fragments. However, using nephroscope can significantly reduce operation times.
Key words: bladder stones; transurethral; endoscopic treatments; cystoscope; nephroscope
Optimized EEG–fNIRS Based Mental Workload Detection Method for Practical Applications
Authors: Chu Hongzuo , Cao Yong , Jiang Jin , Yang Jiehong , Huang Mengyin , Li Qijie , Jiang Changhua , Jiao Xuejun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Mental workload is a critical consideration in complex man–machine systems design. Among various mental workload detection techniques, multimodal detection techniques integrating EEG and fNIRS signals have attracted considerable attention. However, existing EEG–fNIRS-based mental workload detection methods have certain defects, such as complex signal acquisition channels and low detection accuracy, which restrict their practical application.Method: The signal acquisition configuration was optimized and a more accurate and convenient EEG–fNIRS-based mental workload detection method was constructed. A classical MATB task was conducted with 20 participating volunteers. Subjective scale data, 64-channel EEG data, and two-channel fNIRS data were collected.Results: A higher number of EEG channels correspond to higher detection accuracy. However, there is no obvious improvement in accuracy once the number of EEG channels reaches 26, with a four-level mental workload detection accuracy of 78.25±4.71%. Partial results of physiological analysis verify the results of previous studies, such as that the θ power of EEG and concentration of O2Hb in the prefrontal region increase while the concentration of HHb decreases with task difficulty. It was further observed, for the first time, that the energy of each band of EEG signals was significantly different in the occipital lobe region, and the power of 𝛽1 and 𝛽2 bands in the occipital region increased significantly with task difficulty. The changing range and the mean amplitude of O2Hb in high-difficulty tasks were significantly higher compared with those in low-difficulty tasks.Conclusions: The channel configuration of EEG–fNIRS-based mental workload detection was optimized to 26 EEG channels and two frontal fNIRS channels. A four-level mental workload detection accuracy of 78.25±4.71% was obtained, which is higher than previously reported results. The proposed configuration can promote the application of mental workload detection technology in military, driving, and other complex human–computer interaction systems.
Precuneus Brain Response Changes Differently During Human-Robot and Human-Human Dyadic Social Interaction
Authors: Spatola Nicolas , Chaminade Thierry 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Human-human and human-robot interaction are often compared with the overarching question of the differences in terms of cognitive processes engaged and what can explain these differences. However, research addressing this topic, especially in neuro-imagery, use extremely artificial interaction settings. Also, they neglect a crucial parameter of human social cognition: interaction is an adaptive (rather than fixed) process. Building upon the first fMRI paradigm requiring participants to interact online with both a human and a robot in a dyadic setting, we investigate the differences and changes of brain activity during the two type of interactions in a whole brain analysis. Our results show that, grounding on a common default level, the activity in specific neural regions associated with social cognition (e.g. Posterior Cingulate Cortex) increase in HHI while remaining stable in HRI. We discuss these results regarding the iterative process of deepening the social engagement facing humans but not robots.
Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Prothioconazole and its Metabolite Prothioconazole-Desthio To Daphnia Magna
Authors: Xuehua An , Xinju Liu , Jinhua Jiang , Feidi Wang , Lu Lv , Gang Li , Shenggan Wu , Xueping Zhao 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Prothioconazole (PTC) is a broad-spectrum triazole fungicide. Current research has mainly focused on its efficacy and residues, with few studies on its toxicological effects. This study assessed the effects of PTC, and its metabolite prothioconazole-desthio (PTCd), on the inhibition of activity, growth, and reproduction of Daphnia magna using acute and chronic toxicity tests. Additionally, the dose-response relationship was established to determine sensitive biological indicators. The acute toxicity test shows that the 48 h EC50 of PTC and PTCd to D. magna were 2.82 and 5.19 mg/L, respectively. The chronic toxicity of PTC and PTCd to D. magna were 0.00860 and 0.132 mg/L, respectively, with the parent compound being 15.3 times more toxic than its metabolite. The acute to chronic toxicity ratio (ACR) was calculated using chronic toxicity data, with ACR values of 227 and 27.5 for PTC and PTCd, respectively. These results indicate that both PTC and PTCd affect the growth and reproduction of D. magna, and the toxicity of the parent compound is greater than that of its metabolite. In conclusion, the metabolites of this pesticide have sufficient toxicity to harm D. magna at relevant environmental concentrations, and their environmental risk should not be neglected.
All-Optical Tunable Plasmonic Biosensor Made of Graphene and Metamaterial
Authors: Lotfi Fariba , Sang-Nourpour Nafiseh , Kheradmand Reza 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
We demonstrate a novel, label-free and real-time tunable infrared biosensor by employing surface-plasmon polaritons in asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The waveguides cladding in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer is made of lossy media with positive and negative electromagnetic susceptibilities, including metamaterial, metal and graphene. The core consists of dielectric media. We introduce two configurations for our biosensor structure. First configuration is an open-path structure and the second one consists of a sample housing made of a silicon layer around the structure. We also present a tunable biosensor by applying a gate voltage to the graphene in the structure. We employ three different cancerous cells, including cervical, breast and basal, as samples to examine the capabilities of the biosensor. Our biosensor structure is highly sensitive, compared to the existing biosensors in the literature, with the sensitivity for basal cancer cell of 1034THz/RIU. The proposed biosensor structure is compact and easy to fabricate with applications in biomedical sensing and environmental control to detect water pollutants.
Bayesian Spatio-temporal Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Africa
Authors: Akeresola Rebecca Ayodeji , Gayawan Ezra 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Global warming is a driver of climate change and is attributed to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities. Although Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, its emissions are still on the increase. This study analyzes the spatial effect, temporal effect, and the interaction of these effects on these emissions in Africa. A 27-year greenhouse gas emissions data of some selected African countries was studied using Bayesian Spatio-temporal analysis within a Bayesian framework. Inference was based on integrated nested Laplace approximation implemented using the R-INLA package in R. Various subsets of Spatio-temporal models were fitted, including those that accounted for boundary shared among countries. Results show that models with the Spatio-temporal interaction effect outperform models that did not take this effect into account, confirming findings from existing literature. Findings from this study also revealed that the boundary shared among countries impacts greenhouse gas emissions. Countries that are less likely to have high greenhouse gas emissions but shared boundaries with those likely to have high estimates eventually had a high estimate of emissions over a long period. Controlling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Africa should be a collective effort, particularly among countries sharing boundaries.
Increased expression of HMGB1 in the implantation phase endometrium is related to recurrent implantation failure
Authors: Han Mi , Cao Yi , Zhou Wenjie , Zhou Mingjuan , Zhou Xiaowei , Zhang Dan , Xu Bufang , Zhang Aijun 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Impaired endometrial receptivity is the main cause of recurrent implantation failure (RIF), however, its underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we found that HMGB1 expression was significantly decreased in the implantation phase endometrium in the control group (patients with tubal infertility who successfully achieved conception after the first embryo transfer) (P = 0.006). However, the expression levels of HMGB1 mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated during the implantation phase in endometrial tissues obtained from patients with RIF compared to those in the control group (P = 0.001), consistent with the results of genome-wide expression profiling. Moreover, in vitro assays showed that increased expression of HMGB1 in human endometrial epithelial cells cause marked deficiency in supporting blastocysts and human embryonic JAR cell adhesion, mimicking the process of embryo adhesion. However, overexpression of HMGB1 had no effect on cell proliferation and in-vitro decidualization in a human endometrial stromal cell line (T-HESCs) and in primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). These findings indicate that increased HMGB1 levels suppressed the adhesion capability of epithelial cells, contributing to impaired endometrial receptivity in patients with recurrent implantation failure. This characteristic can be used as a target for detecting and treating recurrent implantation failure in clinical practice.
Risk Factors of Trauma-induced Thrombotic Microangiopathy-like Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: lim kyoung hoon , Park Jinyoung , Cho Sung Hoon 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with trauma may develop thrombocytopenia. We encountered cases wherein patients experienced symptoms resembling thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) following severe trauma. As the condition of these patients did not comply with the diagnostic criteria of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and there is no mention of trauma among the several causes of TMAs, it was termed as “trauma-induced thrombotic microangiopathy-like syndrome” (t-TMAS). In this study, we aimed to analyze risk factors that may affect the incidence of t-TMAS in patients with severe trauma. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the trauma intensive care unit at the Kyungpook National University Hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. The medical records 1164 of the 1392 enrolled participants were analyzed. To assess risk factors of t-TMAS, we analyzed age, sex, mechanism of trauma, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score, Injury Severity Score (ISS), hematologic examination, and red blood cell (RBC) volume transfused in 24 h. Results: Among 1164 patients, 20 (1.7%) were diagnosed with t-TMAS. The univariate analysis revealed higher age, ISS, and myoglobin, lactate, creatine kinase-myocardial band (on admission), creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate (day 2) levels in the t-TMAS group than in the non-t-TMAS group. The RBC volume transfused in 24 h was higher in the t-TMAS group than in the non-t-TMAS group. t-TMAS was more common in patients with injuries in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (AIS score ≥3) than in those with head injuries (AIS score ≥3) alone. The higher the sum of AIS scores of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis injuries, the higher the incidence of t-TMAS. Multivariate analysis revealed age, ISS, and LDH level (day 2) to be independent predictors of t-TMAS.Conclusions: Trauma surgeons should consider the possibility of t-TMAS if thrombocytopenia persists without any evidence of bleeding, particularly among older patients with multiple severe torso injuries who have high LDH levels on day 2. Early diagnosis and treatment of t-TMAS could improve patients’ prognosis.
Bioavailable Nickel and Zinc in Polluted Soil Alter the Growth of Non-pioneer Trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Brandão Solange , Martins Geane , Siqueira Matheus C. , Campos Rafaela de O. A , Dalsin Ana C.F. , Rinaldi Mirian C. S. , Domingos Marisa 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background and aimsThe Brazilian Atlantic forest has been affected by the deposition of Ni and Zn, among other heavy metals adsorbed from atmospheric particles, which can be incorporated into the soil. If available in the soil, they can be absorbed by plant roots. The study aimed at testing experimentally the hypotheses: 1) Ni and Zn depositions increase their bioavailable fractions in the soil; 2) pioneer tree species demonstrate a greater potential to absorb Ni and Zn from the soil and less growth changes than non-pioneer species.MethodsThe experiment was carried out with six pioneer and non-pioneer species native to the Atlantic Forest, grown for 90 days in soil from an urban fragment of the Atlantic Forest, according to the treatments: soil with balanced fertilization (control) and soil enriched with Ni, Zn and Ni+Zn. At the end, the concentrations of Ni and Zn were determined in four soil fractions (F1: soluble; F2: linked oxides/hydroxides; F3: organic matter: F4: residual metals) and in leaves, stems/branches and roots. Mobility factors in soil, concentration ratios between treatments and respective controls, translocation index and relative growth rate in height, leaf number and total biomass were also calculated.ResultsThe results showed that Ni and Zn concentrations increased significantly in the bioavailable soil fractions (F1, F2). The absolute content of Ni and Zn in the plants directly reflected the soil level in the available forms.ConclusionsThe metal accumulation in the species occurred regardless of the successional group to which they belonged. Non-pioneer species showed greater susceptibility to the metals.
Freshwater transport from warm to cold ocean regions amplifying faster than all model estimates
Authors: Sohail Taimoor , Zika Jan , Irving Damien , Church John 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Warming-induced global water cycle changes pose a significant challenge to global ecosystems and human society. The magnitude of historical water cycle change is uncertain due to a dearth of direct rainfall and evaporation observations, particularly over the ocean where 80% of global evaporation occurs. Air-sea fluxes of freshwater and river run-off imprint on ocean salinity at different temperatures, such that warmer regions tend to be saltier and cooler regions tend to be fresher. In this work, we track observed salinity trends in the warm, salty fraction of the ocean from 1970 to 2014, and infer the global poleward transport of freshwater over this period. Since 1970, 46 - 77 x10^12 m^3 of freshwater has been transported poleward from the warmest fraction of the ocean. No model in the current generation of climate models (the 6th Climate Model Intercomparison Project; CMIP6) replicates this transport, with the closest model underestimating transport by 2 - 4 times. We trace the climate model biases to a weaker than expected surface freshwater flux intensification, just 0 - 4% in CMIP6 models compared to an estimated 3 - 7.5% in observations.
Hypouricemic and Anti-oxidant Effects of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and Cornus officinalis In Vitro and In Vivo Models
Authors: Kim Ok-kyung , Yun Jeong Moon , Lee Minhee , Kim Dakyung , Lee Jeongmin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background: Hyperuricemia, abnormally excess accumulation of uric acid, is caused by an imbalance between the production and excretion of uric acid and is a major cause of gout. We compared the effects of extracts from Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Ci) and Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc (Co) on hyperuricemia, both individually and in combination (FSU-CC), Methods: We used hypoxanthine-treated human liver cancer (HepG2) cells and primary mouse renal proximal tubule cells for in vitro model, and potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice for in vivo model.Results: We found that treatment of Ci, Co, and FSU-CC suppressed the activity of xanthine oxidase and mRNA expression of xanthine dehydrogenase, while inducing an increase in the expression levels of the organic anion transporter 1 and organic anion transporter 3 proteins and a decrease in the expression levels of glucose transporter 9 and urate transporter 1 proteins. Particularly, treatment and supplementation with FSU-CC showed stronger effects than those of supplementation with either Ci or Co alone. We observed that the excretion of creatinine and uric acid in the combination of Ci and Co was higher than that observed in their individual supplementations and was similar to that of the normal group.Conclusions: Therefore, our data suggest that a combination of Ci and Co may potentially be used for the development of effective natural anti-hyperuricemic functional foods.
Nonlinear triggering process of whistler-mode rising-tone emissions in a homogeneous magnetic field
Authors: Fujiwara Yuya , Nogi Takeshi , Omura Yoshiharu 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
We perform an electromagnetic particle simulation of triggered emissions in a uniform magnetic field for understanding of nonlinear wave-particle interaction in the vicinity of the magnetic equator. A finite length of a whistler-mode triggering wave packet with a constant frequency is injected by oscillating an external current at the equator. We find that the first subpacket of rising-tone triggered emissions is generated after termination of the injection of the triggering wave in the homogeneous magnetic field. By analyzing resonant currents and resonant electron dynamics in the simulation, we find that the formation of an electron hole in a velocity phase space forms resonant currents, and the currents cause wave amplification and frequency increase. As the very initial stage of the generation process, phase-bunching occurs at the wavefront of the triggering wave. The phase-bunching is caused by the rotation of electrons in the velocity phase space because of the gradient of the distribution function in the parallel velocity. The phase-bunched untrapped electrons are scattered to the loss cone giving energy to the electromagnetic waves, while the electrons in the low density region are trapped by the wave potential, forming an electron hole. The time scale of the initial formation process of the electron hole is related to the duration time of the triggering wave necessary for generation of triggered emissions. The duration time is determined by the interaction time. For the generation of triggered emissions, the interaction time is more than 1/4 of the nonlinear trapping period in the present simulation.
Plasma Phosphorylated-tau181 is a Predictor of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Huang Li-Kai , Chao Shu-Ping , Hu Chaur-Jong , Lo Yu-Chun , Hsieh Yi-Chen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
IntroductionPost-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) cannot be neglected because it drastically influences the daily life of patients and their families. However, there are no studies exploring the association between preclinical blood biomarkers of neurodegeneration including plasma amyloid-β (Aβ), tau and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) together with the risk of PSCI. The present longitudinal study was to investigate whether these blood biomarkers with imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease can improve the prediction for PSCI. In addition, we also explored the association between blood biomarkers with the trajectories of PSCI.MethodsAdult patients with first ever acute ischemic stroke were recruited, and the cognitive and functional abilities of these patients were evaluated. Furthermore, blood biomarkers of neurodegeneration including plasma Aβ-40, Aβ-42, total tau, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181), and BDNF levels and image markers of cerebral small vessel disease were measured. Each patient was followed up at 3 and 12 months at the outpatient department.ResultsOf 136 patients, 40 and 50 patients developed PSCI at 3 and 12 months after stroke, respectively. In functional trajectories, 27 patients did not have PSCI at 3 months but did at 12 months. By contrast, the PSCI status of 17 patients at 3 months was reversed at 12 months. Patients with high acute plasma p-tau181 had a significantly lower PSCI risk at 3 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.40–0.94, p = 0.0243) and 12 months (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.47–0.99, p = 0.0443) after adjustment for covariates and image biomarkers. Discrimination and reclassification statistics indicated that the p-tau181 level can improve discrimination ability for PSCI at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Additionally, the plasma p-tau181 level was the highest in subjects without PSCI followed by those with delayed-onset PSCI and early-onset PSCI with reversal, whereas the lowest plasma p-tau181 level was found among those with persistent PSCI, showing a significant trend test (p = 0.0081).ConclusionsPlasma p-tau181 is a potential biomarker for predicting early- and delayed-onset PSCI. Future studies should incorporate plasma p-tau181 as indicator for timely cognitive intervention in the follow-up of patients with stroke.