bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between practices of eye protection against solar ultraviolet radiation and cataract in a rural area
Authors: Chen Li-Ju , Chang Yun-Jau , Shieh Chun-Fu , Yu Jy-Haw , Yang Ming-Chin 
Published: July 2021

Background
Cataract is a public health concern worldwide that differentially affects rural residents of outlying islands where ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may have greater penetration because of less shading.

Objectives
To assess the relationships between attitudes and practices of eye protection and eye diseases for residents of an offshore island of Taiwan.

Methods
Questionnaire survey was administered to local residents (age > 50 years) regarding socio-demographic information, attitudes/practices of eye protection under sun exposure and eye diseases.

Results
A total of 816 participants (response rate 90.7%, 816/900) completed the questionnaires. Mean age was 63.7 (+ 10.8) years. Among these participants, 44.4%, 15.1% and 8.3% had cataract, dry eye and glaucoma, respectively. Although 86.3% and 88.2% of participants agreed that they should avoid outdoor activities and wear glasses/broad-brimmed hats in harsh daylight, 69.4% and 48.3% of participants never/rarely used glasses or hats/umbrellas in harsh daylight, respectively. Predictors of less practices of eye protection against solar UVR included residents who were male, with lower education level, with longer residence and lack of commercial health insurance. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that practices of eye protection under sun exposure were significantly associated with less cataract, but not glaucoma or dry eye. Participants who did not wear glasses, broad-brimmed hats/use umbrellas or both in harsh sunlight (almost) every time were respectively associated with a 57% (P = 0.028), 45% (P = 0.027) or 70% (P = 0.026) increase of cataract than those who did in harsh sunlight (almost) every time.

Conclusions
Practices of eye protection under sun exposure is associated with lower risk of cataract.
A prospective cross-sectional study of tuberculosis in elderly Hispanics reveals that BCG vaccination at birth is protective whereas diabetes is not a risk factor
Authors: Scordo Julia M. , Aguillón-Durán Génesis P. , Ayala Doris , Quirino-Cerrillo Ana Paulina , Rodríguez-Reyna Eminé , Mora-Guzmán Francisco , Caso Jose A. , Ledezma-Campos Eder , Schlesinger Larry S. , Torrelles Jordi B. , Turner Joanne , Restrepo Blanca I. 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundAging increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) and its adverse outcomes, but most studies are based on secondary analyses, and few are in Hispanics. Diabetes is a risk factor for TB in adults, but its contribution in the elderly is unknown. We aimed to identify the role of diabetes and other risk factors for TB in elderly Hispanics.MethodsCross-sectional study among newly-diagnosed TB patients, recent contacts (ReC), or community controls (CoC) totaling 646 participants, including 183 elderly (>60 years; 43 TB, 80 ReC, 60 CoC) and 463 adults (18 to 50 years; 80 TB, 301 ReC and 82 CoC). Host characteristics associated with TB and latentMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection (LTBI) were identified in the elderly by univariable and confirmed by multivariable logistic regression.ResultsLTBI was more prevalent among the elderly CoC (55%vs. 23.2% in adults; p<0.001), but not in ReC (elderly 71.3%vs. adult 63.8%); p = 0.213). Risk factors for TB in the elderly included male sex (adj-OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.76, 10.65), smoking (adj-OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.01, 6.45) and low BMI (adj-OR 12.34, 95% CI 4.44, 34.33). Unexpectedly, type 2 diabetes was not associated with TB despite its high prevalence (adj-OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.06, 2.38), and BCG vaccination at birth was protective (adj-OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06, 0.45).ConclusionsWe report novel distinctions in TB risk factors in the elderlyvs. adults, notably in diabetes and BCG vaccination at birth. Further studies are warranted to address disparities in this vulnerable, understudied population.
Quantifying the patient´s perspective in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Psychometric properties of the SymptoMScreen questionnaire
Authors: Meca-Lallana José E. , Maurino Jorge , Pérez-Miralles Francisco , Forero Lucía , Sepúlveda María , Calles Carmen , Martínez-Ginés María L. , González-Suárez Inés , Boyero Sabas , Romero-Pinel Lucía , Sempere Ángel P. , Meca-Lallana Virginia , Querol Luis , Costa-Frossard Lucienne , Prefasi Daniel , Gómez-Ballesteros Rocío , Ballesteros Javier 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe assessment of self-reported outcomes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is limited by the lack of validated disease-specific measures. The SymptoMScreen (SyMS) is a patient-reported questionnaire for measuring symptom severity in different domains affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), but has not been thoroughly evaluated in NMOSD. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SyMS in a sample of patients with NMOSD.MethodsA non-interventional, cross-sectional study in adult subjects with NMOSD (Wingerchuk 2015 criteria) was conducted at 13 neuroimmunology clinics applying the SyMS. A non-parametric item response theory procedure, Mokken analysis, was performed to assess the underlying dimensional structure and scalability of items and overall questionnaire. All analyses were performed with R (v4.0.3) using the mokken library.ResultsA total of 70 patients were studied (mean age: 47.5 ± 15 years, 80% female, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score: 3.0 [interquartile range 1.5, 4.5]). Symptom severity was low (median SyMS score: 19.0 [interquartile range 10.0, 32.0]). The SyMS showed a robust internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.90 [95% confidence interval 0.86, 0.93]) and behaved as a unidimensional scale with all items showing scalability coefficients > 0.30. The overall SyMS scalability was 0.45 conforming to a medium scale according to Mokken’s criteria. Fatigue and body pain were the domains with the highest scalability coefficients. The SyMS was associated with disability (rho: 0.586), and physical and psychological quality of life (rho: 0.856 and 0.696, respectively).ConclusionsThe SyMS shows appropriate psychometric characteristics and may constitute a valuable and easy-to-implement option to measure symptom severity in patients with NMOSD.
A national retrospective study of the association between serious operational problems and COVID-19 specific intensive care mortality risk
Authors: Wilde Harrison , Dennis John M. , McGovern Andrew P. , Vollmer Sebastian J. , Mateen Bilal A. 
Published: July 2021

Objectives
To describe the relationship between reported serious operational problems (SOPs), and mortality for patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Design
English national retrospective cohort study.

Setting
89 English hospital trusts (i.e. small groups of hospitals functioning as single operational units).

Patients
All adults with COVID-19 admitted to ICU between 2nd April and 1st December, 2020 (n = 6,737).

Interventions
N/A

Main outcomes and measures
Hospital trusts routinely submit declarations of whether they have experienced ‘serious operational problems’ in the last 24 hours (e.g. due to staffing issues, adverse weather conditions, etc.). Bayesian hierarchical models were used to estimate the association between in-hospital mortality (binary outcome) and: 1) an indicator for whether a SOP occurred on the date of a patient’s admission, and; 2) the proportion of the days in a patient’s stay that had a SOP occur within their trust. These models were adjusted for individual demographic characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity), and recorded comorbidities.

Results
Serious operational problems (SOPs) were common; reported in 47 trusts (52.8%) and were present for 2,701 (of 21,716; 12.4%) trust days. Overall mortality was 37.7% (2,539 deaths). Admission during a period of SOPs was associated with a substantially increased mortality; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.34 (95% posterior credible interval (PCI): 1.07 to 1.68). Mortality was also associated with the proportion of a patient’s admission duration that had concurrent SOPs; OR 1.47 (95% PCI: 1.10 to 1.96) for mortality where SOPs were present for 100% compared to 0% of the stay.

Conclusion and relevance
Serious operational problems at the trust-level are associated with a significant increase in mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to critical care. The link isn’t necessarily causal, but this observation justifies further research to determine if a binary indicator might be a valid prognostic marker for deteriorating quality of care.
The Relationship between Sheath Blight Disease Incidence, Disease Severity, and Rice Yield
Authors: Milati Laila Nur , Nuryanto Bambang , Sumarlin Umin 
Published: July 2021

Produksi padi dapat mengalami penurunan akibat gangguan oleh penyakit hawar pelepah yang disebabkan oleh Rhizoctonia solani. Penelitian bertujuan memperkirakan penurunan hasil padi akibat penyakit hawar pelepah berdasarkan keparahan penyakit yang terjadi pada stadium masak susu. Penelitian dilaksanakan di rumah kawat dan lahan percobaan Balai Besar Penelitian Tanaman Padi pada musim hujan 2019/2020. Penelitian di rumah kawat menggunakan tiga varietas padi yaitu “Ciherang”, “Inpari 32 HDB”, dan “Baroma”; sedangkan penelitian di lahan percobaan menggunakan “Ciherang”. Inokulasi R. solani dilakukan pada tanaman padi stadium anakan maksimum dengan menyisipkan tanaman terinfeksi sebagai sumber inokulum penyakit diantara rumpun padi pada tingkat insidensi antara 5%–50%. Tingkat keparahan penyakit pada tanaman di rumah kawat dan lahan percobaan terus berkembang selama periode pengamatan dan mencapai berturut-turut 60.09% dan 70.56%. Lebih lanjut, keparahan penyakit yang tinggi menyebabkan penurunan hasil yang tinggi pula. Pengetahuan tentang hubungan insidensi dan keparahan penyakit bermanfaat dalam menentukan prediksi hasil sehingga pengendalian penyakit dapat dilakukan sedini mungkin untuk menghindari kehilangan hasil yang tinggi.
KELAYAKAN TEKNOLOGI IOT UNTUK KEBUN HIDROPONIK HOLTIKULTURA MENGGUNAKAN HYDROPO 4.0 DI PERKEBUNAN ALAM PASUNDAN, JAWA BARAT
Authors: Mulyati Erna , Hamidin Dini , Fauzan Muhamad Nurkamal 
Published: July 2021

Saat ini penggunaan smart teknologi pada bisnis tanaman hidroponik merupakan peluang bisnis yang sangat menguntungkan bagi para pelaku usaha. Nilai suatu teknologi dapat meningkatkan kualitas dan kuantitas tanaman hidroponik dan diharapkan adanya efisiensi biaya produksi. Perangkat teknologi cerdas dalam pengelolaan persediaan budidaya hidroponik berbasis IoT merupakan salah satu perangkat precision agriculture yang dikenal juga sebagai smart agriculture. Perangkat ini mampu mencampurkan pupuk dan air secara otomatis sehingga pelaku usaha bisnis tanaman hidroponik dapat mengurangi biaya tenaga kerja. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan analisis kelayakan para pelaku usaha dalam meningkatkan budidaya hidroponik dengan pola konvensional/ manual dan memanfaatkan Hydropo 4.0. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu Net Present Value (NPV) dan Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa model operasi dengan menggunakan Hydropo 4.0 lebih menguntungkan ketika jumlah populasi tanaman meningkat lebih dari 51,1% dari populasi tanaman pada saat pengujian. Berdasarkan perbandingan nilai IRR pada model operasi menggunakan Hydropo 4.0 akan meningkat apabila populasi tanaman ditingkatkan 698,85% dari jumlah populasi tanaman pada saat pengujian. Abstract[Feasibility of IoT Technology for Hydroponic Holticultural Gardens Using Hydropo 4.0 In Pasundan Natural Plantation, West Java] Presently, the use of smart technology in the hydroponic plant business is a profitable business opportunity for business people. The value of technology can increase the quality and quantity of plants as well as make the efficiency of production costs. Smart technological devices in the management of hydroponics plant culture based on IoT is one of the hydroponic culture supplies that are one of the precision agriculture devices, also known as smart agriculture. This device is capable of mixing fertilizer and water automatically so that hydroponic plant businesses can reduce labor costs. This study aims to compare the feasibility analysis of business actors improving hydroponic cultivation with conventional/manual patterns and utilizing Hydropo 4.0. The research method used by calculating the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) parameters. The result of this study indicate that operation model using Hydropo 4.0 will be more profitable when the number of plant populations increases by more than 51.1% of the plant population at the time of the test. Based on the comparison of the IRR value in the operation model using Hydropo 4.0, it will increase if the plant population is increased by 698.85% of the total plant population at the time of the test.Keywords: feasibility analysis; IoT; IRR; NPV
BV and Sobolev homeomorphisms between metric measure spaces and the plane
Authors: Brena Camillo , Campbell Daniel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe show that, given a homeomorphismf:G→Ω{f:G\rightarrow\Omega}whereGis an open subset ofℝ2{\mathbb{R}^{2}}and Ω is an open subset of a 2-Ahlfors regular metric measure space supporting a weak(1,1){(1,1)}-Poincaré inequality, it holdsf∈BVloc⁡(G,Ω){f\in{\operatorname{BV_{\mathrm{loc}}}}(G,\Omega)}if and only iff-1∈BVloc⁡(Ω,G){f^{-1}\in{\operatorname{BV_{\mathrm{loc}}}}(\Omega,G)}. Further, iffsatisfies the Luzin N and N-1{{}^{-1}}conditions, thenf∈Wloc1,1⁡(G,Ω){f\in\operatorname{W_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1,1}}(G,\Omega)}if and only iff-1∈Wloc1,1⁡(Ω,G){f^{-1}\in\operatorname{W_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1,1}}(\Omega,G)}.
Cosmology and Anankê in the Timaeus and Our Knowledge of the Forms
Authors: Reshotko Naomi 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
At Tm. 47e, Timaeus steps back from his discussion of what came about through noûs and turns toward an account of what came about through anankê. Broadie, 2012, Nature and Divinity in Plato’s Timaeus, sketches out two routes for the interpretation of this ‘new beginning.’ The ‘metaphysical’ approach uses perceptibles qua imitations of intelligibles in order to glimpse the intelligibles (just as we look at our reflection in a mirror in order to view ourselves). The ‘cosmological’ reading assumes we use the perceptible part of the cosmos in order to come to know the entire cosmos. Broadie openly favors the cosmological reading for understanding the Timeaus as a whole. However, she confines its utility to the Timaeus and does not recommend it for other dialogues. I use Broadie’s ‘cosmological reading’ to better understand what Plato distinguishes as anankê in his second beginning. This sets the stage for my argument that Broadie’s cosmological reading is a promising means for understanding the metaphysics and epistemology of the Forms. By making some comparisons to Sophist (251c–256a), I show that a refined understanding of anankê in the second beginning of the Timaeus clarifies what Plato thinks is involved in coming to know a Form. I argue that a close look at what was available to the Demiurge for cosmic creation by means of noûs yields three distinct ways in which his construction of the cosmos was limited by anankê. Clarifying these three ways in which anankê operates shows that the Demiurge’s manipulation of the foundational elements yields a perceptible world that brings out some potential relationships among Forms while suppressing others. In particular, the Demiurge’s geometricization of the elements leads him to make compromises concerning how Forms can combine in the Receptacle. These choices produce nomological relationships among the Forms with respect to where they can overlap in the Receptacle. This produces the law-like and reliable, but unnecessary, behavior of the perceptible world. I argue that our understanding of these limitations and their translation into where the Receptacle can partake in more than one Form simultaneously, figures importantly in the estimating the potential for human knowledge of the Forms. I question the use of ‘necessity’ as a translation for ‘anankê’ in the Timaeus.
Prediction of shear strength parallel to grain in clear wood of oak (Quercus robur L.) on the basis of shear plane orientation, density and anatomical traits
Authors: Riesco Muñoz Guillermo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Oak wood is popular for use in construction and as flooring. Evaluating the mechanical strength of oak timber is difficult and time consuming. Therefore, models for predicting mechanical properties, based on easy-to-obtain variables, may be useful. The purpose of the study was to build models for predicting shear strength parallel-to-grain in oak clear wood. With this goal, the shearing resistance was tested on 198 defect-free specimens (target dimensions 50 × 50 mm in tested section) obtained from a sample of 40 oak trees felled in north-western Spain. The mean shear strength of the sampled oak wood provenance was 15 N mm−2, which was almost equal to the highest mean value reported in previous studies. Analysis of the relationships between the variables tested enabled development of a model relating shear strength parallel to grain at 12% moisture content, with air-dry wood density and angle between tangential and shear plane as predictor variables (

R
adj
2

${R}_{\text{adj}}^{2}$

= 0.61, p < 0.01, bias = −0.80%, RMSE = 13.66%, for wood with wavy grain;

R
adj
2

${R}_{\text{adj}}^{2}$

= 0.36, p < 0.01, bias = −1.46%, RMSE = 17.22%, for wood without wavy grain). The independence of shear strength relative to the presence/absence of sapwood or the annual growth ring width was also demonstrated.
Acute-phase protein synthesis: a key feature of innate immune functions of the liver
Authors: Ehlting Christian , Wolf Stephanie D. , Bode Johannes G. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The expression of acute-phase proteins (APP’s) maintains homeostasis and tissue repair, but also represents a central component of the organism’s defense strategy, especially in the context of innate immunity. Accordingly, an inflammatory response is accompanied by significant changes in the serum protein composition, an aspect that is also used diagnostically. As the main site of APP synthesis the liver is constantly exposed to antigens or pathogens via blood flow, but also to systemic inflammatory signals originating either from the splanchnic area or from the circulation. Under both homeostatic and acute-phase response (APR) conditions the composition of APP’s is determined by the pattern of regulatory mediators derived from the systemic circulation or from local cell populations, especially liver macrophages. The key regulators mentioned here most frequently are IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition to a variety of molecular mediators described mainly on the basis of in vitro studies, recent data emphasize the in vivo relevance of cellular key effectors as well as molecular key mediators and protein modifications for the regulation and function of APP’s. These are aspects, on which the present review is primarily focused.
Grain evolution during hot ring rolling of as-cast 42CrMo ring billets
Authors: Liu Jiachen , Wang Jinliang , Qi Huiping , Chen Huiqin 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
During hot ring rolling and subsequent air-cooling processes, the as-cast metal alloy undergoes a complicated microstructural evolution. In this paper, the grain refinement of as-cast 42CrMo ring billet during hot ring rolling and air-cooling was conducted by FEM simulation and tests. Moreover, the grain refinement mechanism of as-cast 42CrMo was also studied by comparison of single-pass deformation and multi-pass deformation with short pass interval time, with the purpose of studying the influence of the deformation process on grain refinement supported by the results of FEM simulation. As a result, effective strain and average grain size of the ring show zonal distribution characteristics The effective strain on the inner and outer layers of the ring is large, contributing to fine and homogeneous grains. In contrast, the cumulated effective strain on the interlayer of the ring is small, resulting in inhomogeneous and mixed grains and large average grain size. Grain growth occurs during subsequent air-cooling. The microstructural distribution of the hot rolled ring was confirmed by a hot ring rolling test.
Weldability of austempered rail steel using the flash-butt process
Authors: Arabaci Uğur , Turan Şafhak 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In this study, bainitic microstructure was formed via heat treatmenton R260 rail steel, which is generally used in railways. Bainitic steel, which is considered more advantageous than current rail steel, waswelded by flash butt welding, which is often used for joining rails andthe mechanical and microstructure of the samples were thenexamined and compared. Bainitic structural steel obtained by austempering heattreatment with normal rail steel was welded by flash butt welding. Flash-butt welding parameters were kept constant during the experiment. The welding capabilities of the joints were compared and the results wereevaluated. It was determined that the bainite structure obtained as a result of austempering heat treatment changes the microstructuralproperties of the samples and affects the mechanical values ​of the joints.
Finite element modeling of glass particle reinforced epoxy composites under uniaxial compression and sliding wear
Authors: Eruslu Sait Ozmen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
In this study, the failure mechanism of glass particle epoxy composites was investigated under compression and sliding wear. Random fiber distribution with minimum interfiber distance was modeled by representative volume elements (RVEs). Spherical and platelet type glass particles were used for the reinforcements. A numerical simulation of the elastic properties of composites was performed for a perfectly bonded interface, and the results were compared using the Mori Tanaka mean field approach. The elastic stiffness results indicated that the platelet reinforced composites bore more load than spherical ones because of the aspect ratio effects. The separation distance based cohesive zone model was applied to modeling the failure zone at the particle matrix interfaces to establish sliding wear. The effect of the perfectly bonded interface and the cohesive zone interface on overall stiffness and elasto-plastic behavior were discussed. The cohesive zone interface was found to be effective at the interface in terms of the strength and debonding characteristics of the composites. The results were compared with the sliding wear test results of glass particle reinforced composites. The numerical and sliding wear experimental results indicated that matrix yield stress, plastic strain, particle penetration at the contact interface and particle stress are found to be effective parameters for the debonding mechanism.