bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a single or two doses of an anti-GnRH vaccine on testicle morpho-functional characteristics in Nelore bulls
Authors: Doroteu Emanuel M. , Viana Joao H. M. , Ferreira Junior Jair A. , Macedo Juliana T. A. , Oliveira Rodrigo A. , Pedroso Pedro M. O. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare testicle morpho-functional characteristics in bulls undergoing a single or two immunizations against GnRH. Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) bulls were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: G1 (n=12), a single 400 μg dose of anti-GnRH vaccine on day 0; G2 (n=11), a first 400 μg dose of anti-GnRH vaccine on day 0 followed by a second (boost) dose 30 days later; and control group (CG, n=12), 1 mL saline 0.9% at day 0. Every 30 days, from day 0 until slaughter at day 90, the bulls were weighed and underwent testicular biometry, semen collection and analysis, and blood sample collection for testosterone measurement. Immediately after slaughter, the testicles were removed and transport at 15°C to the laboratory for histopathological analysis. There was a decrease in testicular height (P=0.0476), width (P=0.0021), and in scrotal circumference (P=0.0001), after either a single (G1) or two (G2) immunizations against GnRH. Both G1 and G2 had lower testosterone concentrations than CG from day 60 on (P<0.01), but in G2, it was also lower than in G1 at day 90 (P=0.0006). All sperm parameters were affected by active immunization against GnRH (P<0.05), and in G2, averages were lesser (P<0.05) than in G1 from day 60 on. No signs of seminiferous tubule degeneration were found in any sample from the CG, contrasting with 75.0% and 100.0% of the samples from G1 and G2, respectively. In summary, immunocastration affected testicle morpho-functional characteristics in bulls in a time- and dose-dependent way.
Clinical care pathway program versus open-access system: a study on appropriateness, quality, and efficiency in the delivery of colonoscopy in the colorectal cancer
Authors: Del Vecchio Blanco Giovanna , Dwairi Rami , Giannelli Mario , Palmieri Giampiero , Formica Vincenzo , Portarena Ilaria , Grasso Enrico , Di Iorio Laura , Benassi Michela , Giudice Emilia Anna , Nardecchia Antonella , Rossi Piero , Roselli Mario , Sica Giuseppe , Monteleone Giovanni , Paoluzi Omero Alessandro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOpen-access colonoscopy (OAC), whereby the colonoscopy is performed without a prior office visit with a gastroenterologist, is affected by inappropriateness which leads to overprescription and reduced availability of the procedure in case of alarming symptoms. The clinical care pathway (CCP) is a healthcare management tool promoted by national health systems to organize work-up of various morbidities. Recently, we started a CCP dedicated to colorectal cancer (CRC), including a colonoscopy session for CRC diagnosis and prevention. We aimed to evaluate the appropriateness, the quality, and the efficiency in the delivery of colonoscopy with the open-access system and a CCP program in the CRC. Quality indicators for colonoscopy in subjects in the CCP were compared to referrals by general practitioners (OAC) or by non-gastroenterologist physicians (non-gastroenterologist physician colonoscopy, NGPC). Attendance rate to colonoscopy was greater in the CCP group and NGPC group than in the OAC group (99%, 99%, and 86%, respectively). Waiting time in the CCP group was shorter than in the OAC group (3.88 ± 2.27 vs. 32 ± 22.31 weeks, respectively). Appropriateness of colonoscopy prescription was better in the CCP group than in the OAC group (92 vs. 50%, respectively). OAC is affected by the lack of timeliness and low appropriateness of prescription. A CCP reduces the number of inappropriate colonoscopies, especially for post-polypectomy surveillance, and improves the delivery of colonoscopy in patients requiring a fast-track examination. The high rate of inappropriate OAC suggests that this modality of healthcare should be widely reviewed.
A patient with Marfan’s syndrome who developed an acute aortic dissection at 28 weeks of pregnancy treated with aortic root replacement
Authors: Sumiyoshi Riki , Morita Hideki , Fujii Kento , Shirasughi Takehiro , Kawaura Hiroyuki , Aoki Masakazu , Nagano Hiroshi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe patient was a 31-year-old pregnant woman who gave birth to her first child by vaginal delivery 7 years ago. She was diagnosed with Marfan’s syndrome based on physical findings; however, the condition was not diagnosed before the onset. The patient developed acute aortic dissection at 28 weeks of pregnancy. A cesarean section was first performed to save the patient’s life; then, a total hysterectomy was performed to prevent the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Furthermore, aortic root replacement was performed using a temporary mechanical valve. The patient and her child have survived without any complications.
Digital PET/CT allows for shorter acquisition protocols or reduced radiopharmaceutical dose in [18F]-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Alberts Ian , Sachpekidis Christos , Prenosil George , Viscione Marco , Bohn Karl Peter , Mingels Clemens , Shi Kuangyu , Ashar-Oromieh Ali , Rominger Axel 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To establish the feasibility of shorter acquisition times (and by analogy, applied activity) on tumour detection and lesion contrast in digital PET/CT.

Methods
Twenty-one randomly selected patients who underwent oncological [18F]-FDG PET/CT on a digital PET/CT were retrospectively evaluated. Scan data were anonymously obtained and reconstructed in list-mode acquisition for a standard 2 min/bed position (bp), 1 min/bp and 30 s/bp (100%, 50% and 25% time or applied activity, respectively). Scans were randomized and read by two nuclear medicine physicians in a consensus read. Readers were blind to clinical details. Scans were evaluated for the number of pathological lesions detected. Measured uptake for lesions was evaluated by maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean, respectively) and tumour-to-backround ratio (TBR) were compared. Agreement between the three acquisitions was compared by Krippendorf’s alpha.

Results
Overall n = 100 lesions were identified in the 2 min and 1 min/bp acquisitions and n = 98 lesions in the 30 s/bp acquisitions. Agreement between the three acquisitions with respect to lesion number and tumour-to-background ratio showed almost perfect agreement (K’s α = 0.999). SUVmax, SUVmean and TBR likewise showed > 98% agreement, with longer acquisitions being associated with slightly higher mean TBR (2 min/bp 7.94 ± 4.41 versus 30 s/bp 7.84 ± 4.22, p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Shorter acquisition times have traditionally been associated with reduced lesion detectability or the requirement for larger amounts of radiotracer activity. These data confirm that this is not the case for new-generation digital PET scanners, where the known higher sensitivity results in clinically adequate images for shorter acquisitions. Only a small variation in the semi-quantitative parameters SUVmax, SUVmean and TBR was seen, confirming that either reduction of acquisition time or (by analogy) applied activity can be reduced as much as 75% in digital PET/CT without apparent clinical detriment.
Regulatory roles of G-protein coupled receptors in adipose tissue metabolism and their therapeutic potential
Authors: Im Hyeonyeong , Park Ji-Hyun , Im Seowoo , Han Juhyeong , Kim Kyungmin , Lee Yun-Hee 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe high incidence of obesity has increased the need to discover new therapeutic targets to combat obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue, which is one of the major metabolic organs that regulate energy homeostasis. However, there are currently no approved anti-obesity therapeutics that directly target adipose tissue metabolism. With recent advances in the understanding of adipose tissue biology, molecular mechanisms involved in brown adipose tissue expansion and metabolic activation have been investigated as potential therapeutic targets to increase energy expenditure. This review focuses on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) as they are the most successful class of druggable targets in human diseases and have an important role in regulating adipose tissue metabolism. We summarize recent findings on the major GPCR classes that regulate thermogenesis and mitochondrial metabolism in adipose tissue. Improved understanding of GPCR signaling pathways that regulate these processes could facilitate the development of novel pharmacological approaches to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Springback prediction and validation in hot forming of a double-curved component in alloy 718
Authors: Pérez Caro Lluís , Odenberger Eva-Lis , Schill Mikael , Niklasson Fredrik , Åkerfeldt Pia , Oldenburg Mats 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe demands associated with the production of advanced parts made of nickel-base superalloys are continuously increasing to meet the requirements of current environmental laws. The use of lightweight components in load-carrying aero-engine structures has the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the competitiveness of the aero-engine industry can benefit from reduced production costs and shorter development times while minimizing costly try-outs and increasing the efficiency of engines. The manufacturing process of aero-engine parts in superalloys at temperatures close to 950 °C produces reduced stamping force, residual stresses, and springback compared to traditional forming procedures occurring at room temperature. In this work, a hot forming procedure of a double-curved component in alloy 718 is studied. The mechanical properties of the material are determined between 20 and 1000 °C. The presence and nature of serrations in the stress–strain curves are assessed. The novel version of the anisotropic Barlat Yld2000-2D material model, which allows the input of thermo-mechanical data, is used in LS-DYNA to model the behaviour of the material at high temperatures. The effect of considering the stress-relaxation data on the predicted shape distortions is evaluated. The results show the importance of considering the thermo-mechanical anisotropic properties and stress-relaxation behaviour of the material to predict the final geometry of the component with high accuracy. The implementation of advanced material models in the finite element (FE) analyses, along with precise process conditions, is vital to produce lightweight components in advanced materials of interest to the aerospace industry.
Firms’ approach to mitigating risks in the platinum group metals sector
Authors: Baskaran Gracelin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWith platinum prices declining due to a seismic demand shift and firms grappling with the high cost of labor and prolonged production-stopping labor strikes, the financial sustainability of platinum group metal (PGM) firms has come under duress since 2012. This article seeks to understand how mining firms have reshaped their strategies to ensure financial sustainability while also meeting external expectations of increasing shared-value outcomes by assessing how firms are deploying buffers and bridges. Firms use buffers when they seek to protect core business activities from supply-side and demand-side volatilities by shifting their overall business strategy and bridges to conform with external expectations of improving shared-value outcomes. The article constructs a case study using five sets of data to assess (i) what supply and demand shocks firms are facing; (ii) how they are reshaping their strategies and undertaking activities to protect the firm from these shocks; (iii) what challenges firms face with reaching shared-value outcomes; and (iv) how firms are undertaking activities to improve shared-value outcomes. This article finds that although buffering activities have been successful at increasing the financial sustainability of mining activities, bridging activities have been less successful given that royalties are vulnerable to maladministration, the impact of corporate social investments often short-lived, and insular and local procurement is limited to low-value-added activities, particularly in the context of mechanization. This article seeks to contribute to the body of literature on how extractive firms are responding to supply and demand shocks and argues that a paradigm shift may be necessary in which traditional bridging activities become part of protecting core business activities to ameliorate the risk of losing a firm’s social license to operate.
Development of surface coatings for high-strength low alloy steel filler wires and their effect on the weld metal microstructure and properties
Authors: Gehling T. , Treutler K. , Wesling V. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe lightweight construction of steel structures is often limited by the mechanical properties of the weld metal. The strength values of modern base materials are not achieved in the weld metal. There is a considerable need to develop welding consumables that allow the processing of modern fine-grained structural steels without limiting their potential. The Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating of welding wire electrodes can increase the strength of the weld metal of a Mn4Ni2CrMo welding wire electrode by up to 30%. By using different coating elements, the Hall–Petch relationship can be exploited and such an increase in strength can be achieved. Especially by applying titanium, vanadium, and yttrium coatings, the strength of the weld metal can be increased. Due to a multilayer structure of the coating, the weld metal and the process can be influenced independently of each other. The effects of mono-element coatings and multi-component coatings on the weld metal and the process are discussed. PVD coatings allow welding wire electrodes to be individually adapted to the requirements.
Gallbladder polyps ultrasound: what the sonographer needs to know
Authors: Cocco G. , Basilico R. , Delli Pizzi A. , Cocco N. , Boccatonda A. , D’Ardes D. , Fabiani S. , Anzoletti N. , D’Alessandro P. , Vallone G. , Cipollone F. , Schiavone C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGallbladder polyps are protuberances of the gallbladder wall projecting into the lumen. They are usually incidentally found during abdominal sonography or diagnosed on histopathology of a surgery specimen, with an estimated prevalence of up to 9.5% of patients. Gallbladder polyps are not mobile and do not demonstrate posterior acoustic shadowing; they may be sessile or pedunculated. Gallbladder polyps may be divided into pseudopolyps and true polyps. Pseudopolyps are benign and include cholesterolosis, cholesterinic polyps, inflammatory polyps, and localised adenomyomatosis. True gallbladder polyps can be benign or malignant. Benign polyps are most commonly adenomas, while malignant polyps are adenocarcinomas and metastases. There are also rare types of benign and malignant true gallbladder polyps, including mesenchymal tumours and lymphomas. Ultrasound is the first-choice imaging method for the diagnosis of gallbladder polyps, representing an indispensable tool for ensuring appropriate management. It enables limitation of secondary level investigations and avoidance of unnecessary cholecystectomies.
Is type 2 diabetes an adiposity-based metabolic disease? From the origin of insulin resistance to the concept of dysfunctional adipose tissue
Authors: Sbraccia Paolo , D’Adamo Monica , Guglielmi Valeria 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn the last decades of the past century, a remarkable amount of research efforts, money and hopes was generated to unveil the basis of insulin resistance that was believed to be the primary etiological factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. From the Reaven’s insulin resistance syndrome to the DeFronzo’s triumvirate (skeletal muscle, liver and beta-cell) and to Kahn’s discovery (among many others) of insulin receptor downregulation and autophosphorylation, an enthusiastic age of metabolic in vivo and in vitro research took place, making the promise of a resolutory ending. However, from many published data (those of insulin receptoropathies and lipodystrophies, the genome-wide association studies results, the data on reversibility of type 2 diabetes after bariatric surgery or very-low-calorie diets, and many others) it appears that insulin resistance is not a primary defect but it develops secondarily to increased fat mass. In particular, it develops from a mismatch between the surplus caloric intake and the storage capacity of adipose tissue. On this basis, we propose to change the today’s definition of type 2 diabetes in adiposity-based diabetes.Level of Evidence as a narrative review a vast array of studies have been included in the analysis, ranging from properly designed randomized controlled trials to case studies; however, the overall conclusion may be regarded as level IV.
Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on mechanical properties and adhesive wear performance of epoxy-based composites
Authors: Eayal Awwad K. Y. , Yousif B. F. , Fallahnezhad Khosro , Saleh Khalid , Zeng Xuesen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEpoxy resin is one of the most widely used thermoset polymers in high-performance composite materials for lightweight applications. However, epoxy has a high coefficient of friction, which limits its tribological applications. In this study, the effect was investigated of different weight fractions of solid lubricant graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), ranging from 0 to 4.5 wt%, on mechanical and adhesive wear performance of epoxy. Adhesive wear tests covered mild and severe wear regimes. The correlation of tribological and mechanical properties was studied as well. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the failure mechanisms for both tribological and mechanical samples after each test. The results revealed that the addition of GNPs to the epoxy improved its stiffness and hardness but reduced its fracture strength and toughness. Adhesive wear performance exhibited high efficiency with GNP additions and showed reductions in the specific wear rate, the coefficient of friction, and the induced interface temperature by 76%, 37%, and 22%, respectively. A fatigue wear mechanism was predominant as the applied load increased. Most importantly, severe wear signs occurred when the interface temperature reached the heat distortion temperature of the epoxy. The tribological, and mechanical properties showed only a weak correlation to each other. The addition of GNPs to epoxy by less than 4.5 wt% was highly efficient to improve the wear performance while maintaining the fracture strength and toughness. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis shows no chemical interaction between the epoxy matrix with GNPs, which implies its physical interaction.
Overlapping International Instruments for Enforcement of Insolvency Judgments: Undermining or Strengthening Universalism?
Authors: Mevorach Irit 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn recent years modified universalism has emerged as the normative framework for governing international insolvency. Yet, divergences from the norm, specifically regarding the enforcement of insolvency judgments, have also been apparent when the main global instrument for cross-border insolvency has been interpreted too narrowly as not providing the grounds for enforcing judgments emanating from main insolvency proceedings. This drawback cannot be overcome using general private international law instruments as they exclude insolvency from their scope. Thus, a new instrument—a model law on insolvency judgments—has been developed. The article analyses the model law on insolvency judgments against the backdrop of the existing cross-border insolvency regime. Specifically, the article asks whether overlaps and inconsistencies between the international instruments can undermine universalism. The finding is mixed. It is shown that the model law on insolvency judgments does add vigour to the cross-border insolvency system where the requirement to enforce and the way to seek enforcement of insolvency judgments is explicit and clear. The instrument should, therefore, be adopted widely. At the same time, ambiguities concerning refusal grounds based on proper jurisdiction and inconsistencies with the wider regime could undermine the system. Consequently, the article considers different ways of implementing the model law and using it in future cases, with the aim of maximizing its potential, including in view of further developments concerning enterprise groups and choice of law.
Defect and Doping Co-Engineered Non-Metal Nanocarbon ORR Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Jingjing , He Feng , Chen Yijun , Zhu Jiawei , Wang Deli , Mu Shichun , Yang Hui Ying 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExploring low-cost and earth-abundant oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst is essential for fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Among them, non-metal nanocarbon with multiple advantages of low cost, abundance, high conductivity, good durability, and competitive activity has attracted intense interest in recent years. The enhanced ORR activities of the nanocarbons are normally thought to originate from heteroatom (e.g., N, B, P, or S) doping or various induced defects. However, in practice, carbon-based materials usually contain both dopants and defects. In this regard, in terms of the co-engineering of heteroatom doping and defect inducing, we present an overview of recent advances in developing non-metal carbon-based electrocatalysts for the ORR. The characteristics, ORR performance, and the related mechanism of these functionalized nanocarbons by heteroatom doping, defect inducing, and in particular their synergistic promotion effect are emphatically analyzed and discussed. Finally, the current issues and perspectives in developing carbon-based electrocatalysts from both of heteroatom doping and defect engineering are proposed. This review will be beneficial for the rational design and manufacturing of highly efficient carbon-based materials for electrocatalysis.
Metaheuristic data fitting methods to estimate Weibull parameters for wind speed data: a case study of Hasan Polatkan Airport
Authors: Kaba A. , Suzer A. E. 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTFlight delays may be decreased in a predictable way if the Weibull wind speed parameters of a runway, which are an important aspect of safety during the take-off and landing phases of aircraft, can be determined. One aim of this work is to determine the wind profile of Hasan Polatkan Airport (HPA) as a case study. Numerical methods for Weibull parameter determination perform better when the average wind speed estimation is the main objective. In this paper, a novel objective function that minimises the root-mean-square error by employing the cumulative distribution function is proposed based on the genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimisation. The results are compared with well-known numerical methods, such as maximum-likelihood estimation, the empirical method, the graphical method and the equivalent energy method, as well as the available objective function. Various statistical tests in the literature are applied, such asR2, Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE) and$\chi$2. In addition, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and total elapsed time calculated using the algorithms are compared. According to the results of the statistical tests, the proposed methods outperform others, achieving scores as high as 0.9789 and 0.9996 for theR2test, as low as 0.0058 and 0.0057 for the RMSE test, 0.0036 and 0.0045 for the MAE test and 3.53 × 10−5and 3.50 × 10−5for the$\chi$2test. In addition, the determination of the wind speed characteristics at HPA show that low wind speed characteristics and regimes throughout the year offer safer take-off and landing schedules for target aircraft. The principle aim of this paper is to help establish the correct orientation of new runways at HPA and maximise the capacity of the airport by minimising flight delays, which represent a significant impediment to air traffic flow.