bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology in dogs
Authors: Yun Taesik , Koo Yoonhoi , Chae Yeon , Lee Dohee , Kim Hakhyun , Kim Soochong , Chang Dongwoo , Na Ki‐Jeong , Yang Mhan‐Pyo , Kang Byeong‐Teck 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundNeurofilament light chain (NfL) is a neuron‐specific cytoskeletal protein expressed in axons. Damaged axons of the central nervous system release NfLs into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood. In humans with neurologic diseases, NfL is used as a biomarker.ObjectivesTo identify the potential of NfL as a supportive tool for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) in dogs.AnimalsTwenty‐six client‐owned healthy dogs, 10 normal Beagle dogs, and 38 client‐owned MUE dogs.MethodsCohort study. The concentrations of NfL in serum and CSF were measured using single‐molecule array technology.ResultsMedian NfL concentration was significantly higher in MUE dogs (serum, 125 pg/mL; CSF, 14 700 pg/mL) than in healthy dogs (serum, 11.8 pg/mL, P < .0001; CSF, 1410 pg/mL, P = .0002). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of serum and CSF NfL concentrations were 0.99 and 0.95, respectively. The cut‐off values were 41.5 pg/mL (serum) and 4005 pg/mL (CSF) for differentiating between healthy and MUE dogs, with sensitivities of 89.19% and 90%, respectively, and specificities of 96.97% and 100%, respectively. The NfL concentration showed a significant decrease (pretreatment, 122 pg/mL; posttreatment, 36.6 pg/mL; P = .02) in the good treatment‐response group and a significant increase (pretreatment, 292.5 pg/mL; posttreatment, 1880 pg/mL, P = .03) in the poor treatment‐response group.Conclusions and Clinical importanceNeurofilament light chain is a potential biomarker for diagnosing MUE and evaluating response to treatment.
Kinetic disposition of diazepam and its metabolites after intravenous administration of diazepam in the horse: Relevance for doping control
Authors: Schenk Ina , Machnik Marc , Broussou Diane , Meuly Astrid , Roques Béatrice B. , Lallemand Elodie , Düe Michael , Röttgen Helma , Lagershausen Henrike , Toutain Pierre‐Louis , Thevis Mario 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn horses, the benzodiazepine diazepam (DIA) is used as sedative for pre‐medication or as an anxiolytic to facilitate horse examinations. As the sedative effects can also be abused for doping purposes, DIA is prohibited in equine sports. DIA is extensively metabolized to several active metabolites such as nordazepam, temazepam and oxazepam (OXA). For veterinarians, taking into account the detection times of DIA and its active metabolites is needed for minimizing the risk of an anti‐doping rule violation. Therefore, a pharmacokinetic study on 6 horses was conducted using a single intravenous (IV) dose of 0.2 mg/kg DIA Plasma and urine samples were collected at specified intervals until 16 and 26 days post‐administration, respectively. Samples were analysed by a sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry method. DIA showed a triphasic elimination pattern in the horse. The mean plasma clearance of DIA was 5.9 ml/min/kg, and the plasma elimination half‐life in the terminal phase was 19.9 h. Applying the Toutain model approach, an effective plasma concentration of DIA was estimated at 24 ng/ml, and irrelevant plasma concentration (IPC) and irrelevant urine concentration (IUC) were computed to 0.047 and 0.1 ng/ml, respectively. The detection time according to the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC), that is the time for which observed DIA plasma concentrations of all investigated horses were below the IPC was 10 days. Using Monte Carlo Simulations, it was estimated that concentrations of DIA in plasma would fall below the IPC 18 days after the DIA administration for 90% of horses. However, in the present study, a single administration of DIA could be detected for 24 days in urine via the presence of OXA, its dominant metabolite.
Changes in the structure of seed dispersal networks when including interaction outcomes from both plant and animal perspectives
Authors: González‐Castro Aarón , Morán‐López Teresa , Nogales Manuel , Traveset Anna 
Published: June 2021

Interaction frequency is the most common currency in quantitative ecological networks, although interaction quality can also affect benefits provided by mutualisms. Here, we evaluate if interaction quality can modify network topology, species' role and whether such changes affect community vulnerability to species loss. We use a well‐examined study system (bird–lizard and fleshy‐fruited plants in the ‘thermophilous' woodland of the Canary Islands) to compare network and species‐level metrics from a network based on fruit consumption rates (interaction frequency, IF), against networks reflecting functional outcomes: a seed dispersal effectiveness network (SDE) quantifying recruitment, and a fruit resource provisioning network (FRP), accounting for the nutrient supply of fruits. Nestedness decreased in the FRP and the SDE networks, due to the lack of association between fruit consumption rates and 1) nutrient content and; 2) recruitment at the seed deposition sites, respectively. The FRP network showed lower niche overlap due to resource use complementarity among frugivores. Interaction evenness was lower in the SDE network, in response to a higher dominance of lizards in the recruitment of heliophilous species. Such changes, however, did not result in enhanced vulnerability against extinctions. At the plant species level, strength changed in the FRP network in frequently consumed or highly nutritious species. The number of effective partners decreased for species whose seeds were deposited in unsuitable places for recruitment. In frugivores, strength was consistent across networks (SDE vs IF), showing that consumption rates outweighed differences in dispersal quality. In the case of lizards, the increased importance of nutrient‐rich species resulted in a higher number of effective partners.Our work shows that although frequency strongly impacts interaction effects, accounting for quality improves our inferences about interaction assembly and species role. Thus, future studies including interaction outcomes from both partners' perspectives will provide valuable insights about the net effects of mutualistic interactions.
Combining Raman imaging and MCR‐ALS analysis for monitoring retinol permeation in human skin
Authors: Essendoubi Mohammed , Alsamad Fatima , Noël Philippe , Meunier Marie , Scandolera Amandine , Sandré Jérôme , Manfait Michel , Gobinet Cyril , Reynaud Romain , Piot Olivier 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundMonitoring the transcutaneous permeation of exogenous molecules using conventional techniques generally requires long pre‐analytical preparation or labelling of samples. However, Raman spectroscopy is a label‐free and non‐destructive method which provides spatial distribution of tracked actives in skin. The aim of our study was to prove the interest of Raman imaging coupled with multivariate curve resolution alternating least square (MCR‐ALS) analysis in monitoring retinol penetration into frozen and living human skin.Materials and MethodsAfter topical treatment of skin samples by free or encapsulated retinol, thin cross sections were analysed by Raman imaging (up to 100 µm depth). Mann‐Whitney test was used to identify retinol spectroscopic markers in skin. MCR‐ALS was used to estimate retinol contribution in Raman spectral images. Heat maps were constructed to compare the distribution of free and encapsulated retinol in skin models.ResultsWe identified the bands at 1158, 1196 and 1591 cm‐1 as specific features for monitoring retinol in skin. Moreover, our MCR‐ALS results showed an improvement of retinol penetration (up to 30 µm depth) with the encapsulated form as well as storage reservoir formation in stratum corneum, for each skin model. Finally, greater retinol penetration into living skin was observed.ConclusionThis study shows a proof of concept for the evaluation of retinol penetration in skin using Raman imaging coupled with MCR‐ALS. This concept needs to be validated on more subjects to include inter‐individual variability but also other factors affecting skin permeation (age, sex, pH, etc). Our study can be extended to other actives.
Hepatitis B infections among blood donors in England between 2009 and 2018: Is an occult hepatitis B infection a risk for blood safety?
Authors: Harvala Heli , Reynolds Claire , Gibney Zoë , Derrick Jade , Ijaz Samreen , Davison Katy L. , Brailsford Su 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntroductionHepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most frequent infections identified in blood donors in England and represents an ongoing blood safety risk. We have analyzed markers of HBV infections in blood donors in England between 2009 and 2018 and used these to estimate the likelihood of non‐detection of occult HBV infection (OBI).MethodsWe collected epidemiological, virological, and genotyping information on HBV cases identified in England, 2009–2018. The estimated risk of non‐detection and likely transmission of OBI were compared to lookback and transfusion‐transmitted infections surveillance data.ResultsSix‐hundered and fifty‐five HBV‐infected blood donors were identified in England during the 10‐year period; 598 chronic, 32 acute, and 25 occult HBV infections. However, most donors with chronic and occult infections were born in Eastern Europe, Africa, or Asia (451/544, 83% and 14/24, 58%); acute infections were largely seen in UK‐born donors (19/28, 68%). Genotyping of 266 HBV‐positive samples revealed five genotypes (A–E), reflecting ethnicity and country of birth. Most OBIs were identified in repeat donors (19/25); lookback data identified a transmission rate of 8.3%. It is estimated that at least 13 potentially infectious donations from donors with OBI remain undetected annually, equating to an overall residual transmission risk of 3.1 per million donations using our current screening strategy of HBsAg screening with HBV nucleic acid testing (NAT) in pools of 24.ConclusionsOBI accounted for the majority of the HBV residual risk in England. Further cost–benefit analysis is required to estimate if our current HBV screening strategy should be changed.
International survey of strategies to mitigate transfusion‐transmittedTrypanosoma cruzi in non‐endemic countries, 2016–2018
Authors: Crowder Lauren A. , Wendel Silvano , Bloch Evan M. , O'Brien Sheila F. , Delage Gilles , Sauleda Silvia , Leiby David A. ,   for the WP‐TTID Subgroup on Parasites
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesChagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Mexico, Central and South America. While initially limited to the Americas, emigration of infected persons triggered geographically broader blood safety challenges. To mitigate transfusion‐transmitted Chagas (TTC), transfusion services implemented approaches including risk factor questions and serologic testing. We sought to understand and compare strategies in non‐endemic countries.Materials and MethodsTransfusion services in International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)‐affiliated organizations and members of the ISBT Working Party on Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases were invited to complete an online survey on T. cruzi mitigation strategies. The survey queried about cases of TTC, risk factors, testing methodology, educational materials, pathogen reduction, donor/product management, donor deferral and perceived public health concerns surrounding TTC.ResultsResponses were received from 27 institutions in 22 countries. Most countries (77.3%) reported no historical TTC cases, while 18.2% reported 1–5 cases and 4.5% reported 6–10 cases. Concern about Chagas among the general public and public health authorities was low, but 12 of 25 blood centres reported moderate/high concern. Overall, 17 countries mitigated for TTC: 15 used risk factor questions and 10tested for T. cruzi antibodies. Ten countries used pathogen reduction but not specifically to prevent TTC.ConclusionWhile Chagas is rarely cited as a public health concern, blood centres in many non‐endemic countries, including those outside the Americas, implemented measures to mitigate risk. Mitigation focussed on risk factors associated with Latin American immigrants and serologic testing. Thus, despite the rarity of TTC, many non‐endemic countries continue to address it as an ongoing blood safety risk.
Dynamic Gait Parameters in Patients With Nonunion of the Tibia Following Treatment With the Ilizarov Method
Authors: Pajchert Kozłowska Andżelika , Pawik Łukasz , Szelerski Łukasz , Żarek Sławomir , Górski Radosław , Pawik Malwina , Fink-Lwow Felicja , Urbański Wiktor , Morasiewicz Piotr 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The purpose of this study was a comprehensive assessment of the dynamic parameters of gait in patients who underwent Ilizarov treatment for nonunion of the tibia. The experimental group consisted of 24 individuals treated with the Ilizarov method for nonunion of the tibia. The control group comprised 31 healthy individuals, matched for BMI, sex, and age. The dynamic gait parameters in patients and in the control group were measured with a Zebris pedobarographic platform. The treatment group and the control group showed statistically significant differences in terms of the following gait parameters: maximum force during braking nonoperated-limb (NOL), time maximum force during braking operated-limb (OL), time maximum force during braking NOL, maximum force during push-off NOL, time maximum force during push-off OL, and maximum force forefoot OL. Most of the evaluated gait parameters were bilaterally similar in patients group. The only significant differences between the operated and nonoperated limb were seen in terms of Time maximum force during push-off and Maximum force forefoot. The most pronounced abnormalities in dynamic gait parameters were observed in the forefoot (maximum force forefoot OL was 13.3% lower than in the control group, maximum force forefoot OL was 12.4% lower than in NOL). The patients treated with the Ilizarov method did not achieve a complete normalization of dynamic gait parameters, as their gait parameters did not equal those measured in the control group. The Ilizarov method for the treatment of tibial nonunion helps restore a symmetrical distribution of gait parameter values between the affected limb and the healthy limb. Patients continue to show the following abnormalities in their dynamic gait parameters after treatment: higher values maximum force during braking NOL, Time maximum force during braking OL, time maximum force during braking NOL, maximum force during push-off NOL, contact time forefoot NOL, contact time midfoot NOL, contact time heel NOL and smaller values of time maximum force during push-off OL.
Analysis of the HI-TRAC VW Transfer Cask Dose Rates for Spent Fuel Assemblies Loaded in Nuclear Power Plant Krsko Storage Campaign One
Authors: Grgić Davor , Matijević Mario , Dučkić Paulina , Ječmenica Radomir 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
In this paper, shielding analysis was performed to determine neutron and gamma dose rates around the transfer cask HI-TRAC VW (Holtec International Transfer Cask Variable Weight) loaded with spent fuel assemblies (SFA) from nuclear power plant (NPP) Krsko spent fuel dry storage (SFDS) campaign one. The HI-TRAC VW is a multilayered cylindrical vessel designed to accept a multipurpose canister (MPC) during loading, unloading, and transfer to dry storage building. The MPC can contain up to 37 spent fuel assemblies. The analysis was divided into two steps. The first step was the source term generation using origen-s module of the scale code package. The source was calculated based on the operating history of spent fuel assemblies currently located in the NPP Krsko spent fuel pool. The obtained particle intensities and source spectra of the SFA were used in the second step to calculate the dose rates around the transfer cask. A comprehensive hybrid shielding analysis included the calculation of dose rates resulting from fuel neutrons and gammas, neutron-induced gammas (n-γ reaction), and hardware activation gammas under normal conditions and during accident scenario. To obtain the dose rates within the acceptable uncertainties, forward weighted consistent adjoint driven importance sampling (FW-CADIS) variance reduction scheme, as implemented in advantg code, was adopted for accelerating final mcnp6.2 calculations. The dose rates around HI-TRAC VW cask were calculated using mcnp6.2 code for all 16 cask loadings belonging to campaign one in order to illustrate the impact of fuel assembly selection schemes proposed by company responsible for project realization - Holtec International (HI).
Evaluation of the High Cycle Fatigue Properties of Double-Side-Welded AISI 321 Plates Using GTAW Process for Pressure Vessels
Authors: Kumar S. Mohan , Kannan A. Rajesh , Pramod R. , Kumar N. Pravin , Shanmugam N. Siva , Rajendran Sharath 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Titanium-stabilized AISI 321 material (UNS S32100) is generally preferred in the pressure vessel industry as it is not sensitive to intergranular corrosion. In critical applications, the fatigue behavior of weld seams is among the most stringent requirements. The microstructural characteristics and fatigue performance double-side-welded AISI 321 plate having 6 mm thickness was evaluated in this work. AISI 321 was welded with double-side-gas tungsten arc welding (DS-GTAW) process. The fatigue behavior was examined with a loading ratio of R = 0.1 and frequency of 15 Hz for two different specimens: base metal (BM) and weld metal (WM). Monotonic tensile results shows the improved tensile properties of WM compared to BM samples. The fatigue strength of WM (150 MPa) was 25% higher than that of BM (120 MPa) specimen and is attributed to the increase in ferrite volume along with dendritic microstructure. The change in the fraction of low angle grain boundaries (LABs) and high angle grain boundaries (HABs) improved the tensile and fatigue properties. The stress amplitudes influenced the degree of striations in the BM and WM. Final fracture surfaces were characterized with dimples and microvoids, revealing the ductile mode of fatigue fracture. The fatigue rupture surfaces of BM and WM samples at different stress regimes are discussed.
Analysis of Auto-Ignition Chemistry in Aeroderivative Premixers at Engine Conditions
Authors: Jella Sandeep , Bourque Gilles , Gauthier Pierre , Versailles Philippe , Bergthorson Jeffrey , Park Ji-Woong , Lu Tianfeng , Panigrahy Snehashish , Curran Henry 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The minimization of auto-ignition risk is critical to the design of premixers of high power aeroderivative gas turbines as an increased use of highly reactive future fuels (for example, hydrogen or higher hydrocarbons) is anticipated. Safety factors based on ignition delays of homogeneous mixtures are generally used to guide the choice of a residence time for a given premixer. However, auto-ignition chemistry under aeroderivative conditions is fast (0.5–2 ms) and can be initiated within typical premixer residence times. The analysis of what takes place in this short period necessarily involves the study of low-temperature auto-ignition precursor chemistry, but precursors can change with fuel and local reactivity. Chemical explosive modes (CEMs) are a natural alternative to study this as they can provide a measure for auto-ignition risk by considering the whole thermochemical state in the framework of an eigenvalue problem. When transport effects are included by coupling the evolution of the chemical explosive modes to turbulence, it is possible to obtain a measure of spatial auto-ignition risk where both chemical (e.g., ignition delay) and aerodynamic (e.g., local residence time) influences are unified. In this article, we describe a method that couples large eddy simulation (LES) to newly developed, reduced auto-ignition chemical kinetics to study auto-ignition precursors in an example premixer representative of real life geometric complexity. A blend of pure methane and di-methyl ether (DME), a common fuel used for experimental auto-ignition studies, was transported using the reduced mechanism (38 species/238 reactions) under engine conditions at increasing levels of DME concentrations until exothermic auto-ignition kernels were formed. The resolution of species profiles was ensured by using a thickened flame model where dynamic thickening was carried out with a flame sensor modified to work with multistage heat release. This paper is outlined as follows: First, a reduced mechanism is constructed and validated for modeling methane as well as DME auto-ignition. Second, sensitivity analysis is used to show the need for chemical explosive modes. Third, the thickened flame model modifications are described and then applied to an example premixer at 25 bar/890 K preheat. The chemical explosive mode analysis closely follows the large thermochemical changes in the premixer as a function of DME concentrations and identifies where the premixer is sensitive and flame anchoring is likely to occur.
Atomic-Level, Energy-Conversion Heat Transfer
Authors: Kaviany M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Heat is stored in quanta of kinetic and potential energies in matter. The temperature represents the equilibrium and excited occupation (boson) of these energy conditions. Temporal and spatial temperature variations and heat transfer are associated with the kinetics of these equilibrium excitations. During energy-conversion (between electron and phonon systems), the occupancies deviate from equilibria, while holding atomic-scale, inelastic spectral energy transfer kinetics. Heat transfer physics reaches nonequilibrium energy excitations and kinetics among the principal carriers, phonon, electron (and holes and ions), fluid particle, and photon. This allows atomic-level tailoring of energetic materials and energy-conversion processes and their efficiencies. For example, modern thermal-electric harvesters have transformed broad-spectrum, high-entropy heat into a narrow spectrum of low-entropy emissions to efficiently generate thermal electricity. Phonoelectricity, in contrast, intervenes before a low-entropy population of nonequilibrium optical phonons becomes a high-entropy heat. In particular, the suggested phonovoltaic cell generates phonoelectricity by employing the nonequilibrium, low-entropy, and elevated temperature optical-phonon produced population—for example, by relaxing electrons, excited by an electric field. A phonovoltaic material has an ultranarrow electronic bandgap, such that the hot optical-phonon population can relax by producing electron-hole pairs (and power) instead of multiple acoustic phonons (and entropy). Examples of these quanta and spectral heat transfer are reviewed, contemplating a prospect for education and research in this field.