bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of speed and gradient on plantar force when running on an AlterG® treadmill
Authors: Thomson Athol , Whiteley Rodney , Hansen Clint , Welzel Julius , Racinais Sebastien , Wilson Mathew G. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Anti-gravity treadmills are used to decrease musculoskeletal loading during treadmill running often in return to play rehabilitation programs. The effect different gradients (uphill/downhill running) have on kinetics and spatiotemporal parameters when using an AlterG® treadmill is unclear with previous research focused on level running only.

Methods
Ten well-trained healthy male running athletes ran on the AlterG® treadmill at varying combinations of bodyweight support (60, 80, and 100% BW), speed (12 km/hr., 15 km/hr., 18 km/hr., 21 km/hr., and 24 km/hr), and gradients (− 15% decline, − 10, − 5, 0, + 5, + 10 + 15% incline), representing a total of 78 conditions performed in random order. Maximum plantar force and contact time were recorded using a wireless in-shoe force sensor insole system.

Results
Regression analysis showed a linear relationship for maximum plantar force with bodyweight support and running speeds for level running (p < 0.0001, adj. R2 = 0.604). The linear relationship, however, does not hold for negative gradients at speeds 12 & 15 km/h, with a relative ‘dip’ in maximum plantar force across all assisted bodyweight settings.

Conclusions
Maximum plantar force peaks are larger with faster running and smaller with more AlterG® assisted bodyweight support (athlete unweighing). Gradient made little difference except for a downhill grade of − 5% decreasing force peaks as compared to level or uphill running.
Cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension secondary to renal arteriovenous malformation: a case report
Authors: Albak Laura J. , Shah Ashish H. , Tam James W. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Heart failure is usually associated with a low-cardiac-output state; however, a minority of these patients are characterized by a high-output cardiac state, described as a cardiac index of > 4 L/minute/m2. Usually such circulation is associated with low systemic vascular resistance or arteriovenous malformation (AVM), resulting in depressurized circulation and a high-output cardiac state. Treating physicians should be cognizant of such pathology when investigating patients with heart failure. As an example, renal arteriovenous malformations are a rare vascular phenomena that are typically the result of iatrogenic, traumatic or congenital etiology. Generally, non-salient, most are detected as an incidental finding.

Case presentation
A 75-year-old Afro-Caribbean man with multiple comorbidities presented to the emergency department with a 6-month history of heart failure symptoms. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a giant right renal AVM leading to a significant left-to-right, post-tricuspid shunt that was treated with transcatheter coiling.

Conclusions
We present this case to emphasize the significance of a detailed workup in a patient with heart failure symptoms.
Adoption analysis of agricultural technologies in the semiarid northern Ethiopia: a panel data analysis
Authors: Gebru Menasbo , Holden Stein T. , Alfnes Frode 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAgricultural technology change is required in developing countries to increase the robustness to climate-related variability, feed a growing population, and create opportunities for market-oriented production. This study investigates technological change in the form of adoption of improved wheat, drought-tolerant teff, and cash crops in the semiarid Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. We analyze three rounds of panel data collected from smallholder farms in 2005/2006, 2009/2010, and 2014/2015 with a total sample of 1269 households. Double-hurdle models are used to assess how the likelihood (first hurdle) and intensity of technology adoption (second hurdle) are affected by demographic, weather, and market factors. The results indicate that few smallholders have adopted the new crops; those that have adopted the crops only plant small shares of their land with the new crops, and that there has been only a small increase in adoption over the 10-year period. Furthermore, we found that high population density is positively associated with the adoption of improved wheat, and previous period’s rainfall is positively associated with the adoption of drought-tolerant teff. The adoption of cash crops is positively associated with landholding size and access to irrigation. The policy implications of these results are that the government should increase the improved wheat diffusion efforts in less dense population areas, make sure that drought-tolerant teff seed is available and affordable after droughts, and promote irrigation infrastructure for production of cash crops.
Amyloid pathology arrangements in Alzheimer’s disease brains modulate in vivo seeding capability
Authors: Duran-Aniotz Claudia , Moreno-Gonzalez Ines , Gamez Nazaret , Perez-Urrutia Nelson , Vegas-Gomez, Laura , Soto Claudio , Morales Rodrigo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAmyloid-β (Aβ) misfolding is one of the hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD can manifest with diverse symptomatology including variable rates of cognitive decline, duration of clinical disease, and other detrimental changes. Several reports suggest that conformational diversity in misfolded Aβ is a leading factor for clinical variability in AD, analogous to what it has been described for prion strains in prion diseases. Notably, prion strains generate diverse patterns of misfolded protein deposition in the brains of affected individuals. Here, we tested the in vivo prion-like transmission features of four AD brains displaying particular patterns of amyloidosis. AD brains induced different phenotypes in recipient mice, as evaluated by their specific seeding activity, as well as the total amount of Aβ deposited surrounding vascular structures and the reactivity of amyloid pathology to thioflavin S. Our results support the notion that AD-subtypes are encoded in disease-associated Aβ. Further research exploring whether AD include a spectrum of different clinical conditions or syndromes may pave the way to personalized diagnosis and treatments.
The number of intracorneal ring segments in asymmetric and central cones
Authors: Utine Canan Asli , Özizmirliler Denizcan , Kayabaşı Mustafa , Günenç Üzeyir 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo compare the results of single versus double intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) (KeraRing) implantation in keratoconus with respect to different cone locations.MethodsTwenty-two eyes of 18 patients with totally asymmetric cones (20–80% or 0–100% distribution along steep axis) were implanted with single ICRS (Group 1), 38 eyes of 32 patients with central or partially asymmetric cones (50–50% or 40–60% distribution along steep axis) were implanted with double ICRS (Group 2), at a depth of 80% of the site of implantation, in channels created with femtosecond laser device. All patients had uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA, respectively) of ≤ 0.3 Snellen lines.ResultsIn both groups, patients had median UDVA and CDVA gain of 3 Snellen lines (P > 0.05). Postoperative improvement in indices of vertical asymmetry and height decentration in Group 1; simulated keratometry, corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal asphericity values in Group 2 were greater (P < 0.05). A total of 10 eyes (45.5%) in Group 1 were recommended double ring implantation by the manufacturer’s nomogram, but underwent single ICRS implantation and achieved visual, refractive, tomographic outcomes comparable to that in Group 2, although corneal cylindrical correction was less and final topographic astigmatism was greater.ConclusionDouble ICRS implantation seems to be superior in terms of keratometry, corneal astigmatism and anterior corneal asphericity improvement. Single ICRS implantation in totally asymmetric cones seems to provide satisfactory visual, refractive and tomographic results, similar to double ICRS implantation in central and partially asymmetric cones, by inducing central shift of the cone.
Piloting an ICU follow-up clinic to improve health-related quality of life in ICU survivors after a prolonged intensive care stay (PINA): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rohr M. , Brandstetter S. , Bernardi C. , Fisser C. , Drewitz K. P. , Brunnthaler V. , Schmidt K. , Malfertheiner M. V. , Apfelbacher C. J. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors often suffer from cognitive, physical and mental impairments, known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). ICU follow-up clinics may improve aftercare of these patients. There is a lack of evidence whether or which concept of an ICU follow-up clinic is effective. Within the PINA study, a concept for an ICU follow-up clinic was developed and will be tested in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT), primarily to evaluate the feasibility and additionally the potential efficacy.

Methods/design
Design: Pilot RCT with intervention and control (usual care) arms plus mixed-methods process evaluation. Participants: 100 ICU patients (50 per arm) of three ICUs in a university hospital (Regensburg, Germany), ≥ 18 years with an ICU stay of > 5 days, a sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score > 5 during the ICU stay and a life expectancy of more than 6 months.
Intervention: The intervention will contain three components: information, consultation and networking. Information will be available in form of an intensive care guide for patients and next of kin at the ICU and phone support during follow-up. For consultation, patients will visit the ICU follow-up clinic at least once during the first 6 months after discharge from ICU. During these visits, patients will be screened for symptoms of PICS and, if required, referred to specialists for further treatment. The networking part (e.g. special referral letter from the ICU follow-up clinic) aims to provide a network of outpatient care providers for former ICU patients. Feasibility Outcomes: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation will be used to explore reasons for non-participation and the intervention´s acceptability to patients and caregivers. Efficacy Outcomes: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) will be assessed as primary outcome by the physical component score (PCS) of the Short-Form 12 Questionnaire (SF-12). Secondary outcomes encompass further patient-reported outcomes. All outcomes are assessed at 6 months after discharge from ICU.

Discussion
The PINA study will determine feasibility and potential efficacy of a complex intervention in a pilot RCT to enhance follow-up care of ICU survivors. The pilot study is an important step for further studies in the field of ICU aftercare and especially for the implementation of a pragmatic multi-centre RCT.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04186468. Submitted 2 December 2019
Chest CT manifestations with emphasis on the role of CT scoring and serum ferritin/lactate dehydrogenase in prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: El Bakry Rehab Abdel Rahman , Sayed Ayman Ibrahim Tharwat 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, and because of the primary pulmonary manifestations of the disease, chest CT is essential in the evaluation of those patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of chest CT findings and chest CT scoring along with serum ferritin and LDH in the prognosis of COVID-19 patients in a cohort of the Egyptian population.

Results
This retrospective study included 250 patients with positive RT-PCR for COVID-19, 138 males [55.2%] and 112 females [44.8%], age range 17–82 years with median 49.5. Two hundred patients had a positive significant correlation between age, serum ferritin, serum LDH, and CT score. Bilateral affection was 88% while unilaterality was 12%, and peripheral chest CT findings were stratified as follows: mild [score from 1 to 10], 114 patients [57%]; moderate [score from 11 to 19], 65 patients [32.5%]; and severe [score from 20 to 25], 21 patients [10.5%]. In severe cases, males constitute 85.7% while females were only 14.3%. Statistical and central distribution was 67%, peripheral was 31%, and central was 2%. Ground glass opacity (GGO) was the highest pattern 39.2%, consolidation 31.2%, fibrosis 15.2%, and CP 13.7%, with lymph nodes only 0.6%. Fifteen cases [6%] were critical; all showed severe scores ranging from 21 to 23 with three times increase in serum ferritin and four times increase in LDH. A follow-up study done to 8 cases [3.2%] showed an increase in CT scoring, serum ferritin, and serum LDH.

Conclusion
Chest CT findings are crucial for early diagnosis of COVID-19 disease especially for asymptomatic patients with old age and male sex considered risk factors for poor prognosis. Chest CT score, serum ferritin, and serum LDH help in predicting the short-term outcome of the patients aiming to decrease both morbidity and mortality.
Analysis on components of characteristic X-ray yield of pure thick targets by positron impact near threshold energy
Authors: Ke Z. X. , Wu Y. , Pan M. , Liang S. , Xu M. X. , Zhao Z. , Wang B. Y. , Zhang P. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In the process of low-energy positron impact with pure thick target, the atomic inner-shell ionization is induced by not only the incident positrons whose energy is completely deposited in the target but also the other particles produced during positron-target collision, namely, the backscattered positrons that deposited part of their energy before escaping the target, the annihilation photons and the secondary electrons. In this paper, the W-M

characteristic X-ray yields of two pure thick targets with different diameters impacted by a positron accelerated by the negative high voltage to 5–9 keV have been measured. The contributions from annihilation photons, secondary electrons, backscattered positrons, and the non-uniform electromagnetic field in the target chamber to the characteristic X-ray yields have been evaluated by the realistic Monte Carlo simulation. Besides, Nagashima et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., 92 (2004) 223201) neglected the contribution from annihilation photons, secondary electrons and backscattered positrons to the yields when calculating the cross-section by the characteristic X-ray yields of thick target impacted by a positron. Here we also caculated the contribution share of the above particles to the Cu-K and the Ag-L characteristic X-ray yields of pure thick target impact by positrons below 30 keV. The results show that the contributions from the above components are non-negligible. Hence, it is necessary to modify the experimental yields for obtaining the accurate yields of pure thick targets by non-backscattered positron impact.
Magnetic, dielectric and optical properties of Al-, Mg-, Co- and Zn-ion–doped CuCrO2
Authors: Apostolova I. N. , Apostolov A. T. , Wesselinowa J. M. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The effects of Al, Mg, Co and Zn ion doping on different properties of multiferroic CuCrO2 are studied using a microscopic model and the Green's function technique. The temperature dependence of the dielectric constant

shows a kink near T

N
. For Al ion doping

decreases, for Co it increases, whereas for Mg it has a maximum for

.

decreases with increasing magnetic field h

ab
. The magnetization M is reduced with enhancing the Al and Zn doping concentration, whereas by Mg doping M shows a maximum at

. The band gap E

g
increases weakly for Zn doping. It decreases strongly with increasing Co and slightly with increasing Mg doping, which is in good quantitative agreement with the experimental data.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Associated with Survival Benefit Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Kamarajah Sivesh K. , White Steven A. , Naffouje Samer A. , Salti George I , Dahdaleh Fadi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Data supporting the routine use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) compared with no AC (noAC) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are lacking. This study aimed to determine whether AC improves long-term survival in patients receiving NAC and resection.

Methods
Patients receiving resection for PDAC following NAC from 2004 to 2016 were identified from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Patients with a survival rate of < 6 months were excluded to account for immortal time bias. Propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression analysis were performed to account for selection bias and analyze the impact of AC on overall survival.

Results
Of 4449 (68%) noAC patients and 2111 (32%) AC patients, 2016 noAC patients and 2016 AC patients remained after PSM. After matching, AC was associated with improved survival (median 29.4 vs. 24.9 months; p < 0.001), which remained after multivariable adjustment (HR 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.88; p < 0.001). On multivariable interaction analyses, this benefit persisted irrespective of nodal status: N0 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.72–0.90; p < 0.001), N1 (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67–0.86; p < 0.001), R0 margin status (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75–0.89; p < 0.001), R1 margin status (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.93; p = 0.007), no neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NART; HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.96; p = 0.009), and use of NART (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73–0.88; p < 0.001). Stratified analysis by nodal, margin, and NART status demonstrated consistent results.

Conclusion
AC following NAC and resection is associated with improved survival, even in margin-negative and node-negative disease. These findings suggest completing planned systemic treatment should be considered in all resected PDACs previously treated with NAC.
A Computational Study on Reduction Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis
Authors: Okumoto Satoshi , Kitagawa Yasutaka 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The redox reaction pathway of silver nanocluster formation in the polyol method is investigated by density functional theory calculation. It is suggested that the formation of Ag2(0) cluster with silver acetate dimer and glycol is more likely to occur via the Ag–carbon bond intermediate rather than via concerted double proton transfer or Ag-alkoxide intermediate. The aldehyde produced from glycol acts as a stronger reducing agent in the reaction. This mechanism provides important insights for controlling the reaction of the polyol process.
Rheological Characterization of Yield-Stress Fluids with Brookfield Viscometer
Authors: Potanin Andrei , Marron Greggory 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper analyzes various techniques to use viscometers equipped with vane spindles to characterize rheological properties of yield stress fluids. Specifically, application of Brookfield viscometers to this end is discussed. A wide selection of toothpastes and lotions were tested. It is shown that a simple method based on apparent shear rate and stress, commonly referred to as a representative viscosity method, works well for moderately non-Newtonian samples but may significantly underestimate viscosity for samples with a more pronounced yield stress behavior. To get more accurate data an integral equation relating torque to angular velocity needs to be solved which can be easily done numerically to get a good agreement between the data collected on an inexpensive viscometer and the data from high-end rheometers.
A zero-inflated non-negative matrix factorization for the deconvolution of mixed signals of biological data
Authors: Kong Yixin , Kozik Ariangela , Nakatsu Cindy H. , Jones-Hall Yava L. , Chun Hyonho 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A latent factor model for count data is popularly applied in deconvoluting mixed signals in biological data as exemplified by sequencing data for transcriptome or microbiome studies. Due to the availability of pure samples such as single-cell transcriptome data, the accuracy of the estimates could be much improved. However, the advantage quickly disappears in the presence of excessive zeros. To correctly account for this phenomenon in both mixed and pure samples, we propose a zero-inflated non-negative matrix factorization and derive an effective multiplicative parameter updating rule. In simulation studies, our method yielded the smallest bias. We applied our approach to brain gene expression as well as fecal microbiome datasets, illustrating the superior performance of the approach. Our method is implemented as a publicly available R-package, iNMF.
244Cm contributions to the alpha source term of CANDU reactors
Authors: Greening F. R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this report the expected rate of buildup of 244Cm in a CANDU neutron flux is evaluated and used to explain cases of high 244Cm in alpha-active samples from Bruce and Pickering Units. It is demonstrated that 244Cm is enriched on the surface of irradiated pressure tubes where it is associated with Zr/Nb activation products. It is further shown, using 94Nb as a fluence monitor, that the 244Cm/(239Pu + 240Pu) ratio for Bruce and Pickering irradiated pressure tube deposits exhibits a power law = 0.0042 (Fluence)3.1982. For non-pressure tube samples, such as feeder pipes, steam generator deposits and PHTS cruds, it is observed that Zr/Nb activation products are also associated with elevated 244Cm activities. Thus, based on the data presented in this report, the inference is that all CANDU Units may be expected to exhibit significant levels of 244Cm activity on PHTS surfaces, both in and out-of-core, with 244Cm/(239Pu + 240Pu) ratios significantly greater than one.
Impact of control rod insertion during burnup on PWR fuel assembly isotopic composition
Authors: Refeat R. M. , Louis H. K. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Criticality analysis of spent fuel assumes that the fuel material is unburned which means that it is in its most reactive condition. In fact, this is not the real situation for fuel as it is burned during reactor operation causing reduction in the reactivity. Considering the reduction in reactivity during spent fuel calculations is the Burn-up Credit concept (BUC). In addition, the control rods radial and axial positions have an effect on the reactivity which can be considered in the criticality safety analysis. This paper studies the effect of burnup and control rods (CRs) movement on reactivity and isotopes inventory. Calculations are carried out in two phases, first kinf is calculated for different burnup profiles with control rods are either fully withdrawn or fully inserted. In the second phase keff is calculated for different control rods insertion levels. For both phases, burnup calculations are performed for a UO2 assembly then multiplication factor calculations of burned UO2 assemblies in cold state are done. The burnup calculations are performed using MCNP6 code and ENDF/B-VII library for different burnup levels up to 45 GWd/tU. The results obtained can be taken in consideration in criticality safety analysis performed for the spent fuel to improve the economic efficiency for manufacture, storage and transportation of fissile materials.