bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case-control study of patient characteristics, knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, risk behaviour and mental state in patients visiting an emergency room with COVID-19 symptoms in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Valk J. P. M. , Heijboer F. W. J. , van Middendorp H. , Evers A. W. M. , in ‘t Veen J. C. C. M. 
Published: April 2021

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 is a serious respiratory virus pandemic. Patient characteristics, knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, risk behaviour and mental state will differ between individuals. The primary aim of this study was to investigate these variables in patients visiting an emergency department in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare the “COVID-19 suspected” (positive and negative tested group) with the “COVID-19 not suspected” (control group) and to compare in the “COVID-19 suspected” group, the positive and negative tested patients.

Methods
Consecutive adult patients, visiting the emergency room at the Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were asked to fill out questionnaires on the abovementioned items on an iPad. The patients were either “COVID-19 suspected” (positive and negative tested group) or “COVID-19 not suspected” (control group).

Results
This study included a total of 159 patients, 33 (21%) tested positive, 85 (53%) negative and 41 (26%) were COVID-19 not suspected (control group). All patients in this study were generally aware of transmission risks and virulence and adhered to the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Working as a health care professional was correlated to a higher risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection (p- value 0.04). COVID-19 suspected patients had a significantly higher level of anxiety compared to COVID-19 not suspected patients (p-value < 0.001). The higher the anxiety, the more seriously hygiene measures were followed. The anxiety scores of the patients with (pulmonary) comorbidities were significantly higher than without comorbidities.

Conclusion
This is one of the first (large) study that investigates and compares patient characteristics, knowledge, behaviour, illness perception, and mental state with respect to COVID-19 of patients visiting the emergency room, subdivided as being suspected of having COVID-19 (positive or negative tested) and a control group not suspected of having COVID-19. All patients in this study were generally aware of transmission risks and virulence and adhered to the non-pharmaceutical interventions. COVID-19 suspected patients and patients with (pulmonary) comorbidities were significantly more anxious. However, there is no mass hysteria regarding COVID-19. The higher the degree of fear, the more carefully hygiene measures were observed. Knowledge about the coping of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic is very important, certainly also in the perspective of a possible second outbreak of COVID-19.
Sex differences in inflammatory markers in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection: Insights from the MGH COVID-19 patient registry
Authors: Lau Emily S. , McNeill Jenna N. , Paniagua Samantha M. , Liu Elizabeth E. , Wang Jessica K. , Bassett Ingrid V. , Selvaggi Caitlin A. , Lubitz Steven A. , Foulkes Andrea S. , Ho Jennifer E. 
Published: April 2021

Background
Men are at higher risk for serious complications related to COVID-19 infection than women. More robust immune activation in women has been proposed to contribute to decreased disease severity, although systemic inflammation has been associated with worse outcomes in COVID-19 infection. Whether systemic inflammation contributes to sex differences in COVID-19 infection is not known.

Study design and methods
We examined sex differences in inflammatory markers among 453 men (mean age 61) and 328 women (mean age 62) hospitalized with COVID-19 infection at the Massachusetts General Hospital from March 8 to April 27, 2020. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association of sex with initial and peak inflammatory markers. Exploratory analyses examined the association of sex and inflammatory markers with 28-day clinical outcomes using multivariable logistic regression.

Results
Initial and peak CRP were higher in men compared with women after adjustment for baseline differences (initial CRP: ß 0.29, SE 0.07, p = 0.0001; peak CRP: ß 0.31, SE 0.07, p<0.0001) with similar findings for IL-6, PCT, and ferritin (p<0.05 for all). Men had greater than 1.5-greater odds of dying compared with women (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.04–2.80, p = 0.03). Sex modified the association of peak CRP with both death and ICU admission, with stronger associations observed in men compared with women (death: OR 9.19, 95% CI 4.29–19.7, p <0.0001 in men vs OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.52–5.18, p = 0.009 in women, Pinteraction = 0.02).

Conclusions
In a sample of 781 men and women hospitalized with COVID-19 infection, men exhibited more robust inflammatory activation as evidenced by higher initial and peak inflammatory markers, as well as worse clinical outcomes. Better understanding of sex differences in immune responses to COVID-19 infection may shed light on the pathophysiology of COVID-19 infection.
Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats of humans diagnosed with COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Calvet Guilherme Amaral , Pereira Sandro Antonio , Ogrzewalska Maria , Pauvolid-Corrêa Alex , Resende Paola Cristina , Tassinari Wagner de Souza , Costa Anielle de Pina , Keidel Lucas Oliveira , da Rocha Alice Sampaio Barreto , da Silva Michele Fernanda Borges , dos Santos Shanna Araujo , Lima Ana Beatriz Machado , de Moraes Isabella Campos Vargas , Mendes Junior Artur Augusto Velho , Souza Thiago das Chagas , Martins Ezequias Batista , Ornellas Renato Orsini , Corrêa Maria Lopes , Antonio Isabela Maria da Silva , Guaraldo Lusiele , Motta Fernando do Couto , Brasil Patrícia , Siqueira Marilda Mendonça , Gremião Isabella Dib Ferreira , Menezes Rodrigo Caldas 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundInfection by SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals has been related to close contact with humans diagnosed with COVID-19. Objectives: To assess the exposure, infection, and persistence by SARS-CoV-2 of dogs and cats living in the same households of humans that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and to investigate clinical and laboratory alterations associated with animal infection.MethodsAnimals living with COVID-19 patients were longitudinally followed and had nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal and rectal swabs collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis, and plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) to investigate specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.ResultsBetween May and October 2020, 39 pets (29 dogs and 10 cats) of 21 patients were investigated. Nine dogs (31%) and four cats (40%) from 10 (47.6%) households were infected with or seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Animals tested positive from 11 to 51 days after the human index COVID-19 case onset of symptoms. Three dogs tested positive twice within 14, 30, and 31 days apart. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies were detected in one dog (3.4%) and two cats (20%). In this study, six out of thirteen animals either infected with or seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 have developed mild but reversible signs of the disease. Using logistic regression analysis, neutering, and sharing bed with the ill owner were associated with pet infection.ConclusionsThe presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been identified in dogs and cats from households with human COVID-19 cases in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. People with COVID-19 should avoid close contact with their pets during the time of their illness.
Analisis Deep Ecology Arne Naess terhadap Aktivitas Penambangan Pasir (Studi Kasus: Penambangan Pasir Merapi di Sekitar Sungai Gendol Cangkringan Sleman Yogyakarta)
Authors: Ainia Dela Khoirul , Jiarzanah Jiarzanah 
Published: April 2021

Gunung Merapi merupakan gunung teraktif di Indonesia, sehingga setiap erupsi mengeluarkan material vulkanik berupa pasir dan batuan. Pada tahun 2010 Gunung Merapi mengalami erupsi dengan mengeluarkan material vulkanik sebanyak 140 juta m3 akibatnya sekitar 23 % material yang dikeluarkan memenuhi aliran Sungai Gendol. Pemerintah Kabupaten Sleman melalui kebijakannya mengeluarkan aturan untuk dilakukan normalilsasi aliran Sungai Gendol, selain bertujuan untuk menormalisasi aliran sungai potensi tersebut juga dimanfaatkan sebagai lahan mata pencaharian yaitu dengan mengambil pasir dan batu. Akibat dari adanya penambangan pasir dan batu lingkungan sekitar mengalami kerusakan, diantaranya vegetasi tumbuhan tidak dapat tumbuh, kerusakan jalan, debu yang beterbangan akibat truk pengangkut pasir dan batu. Dalam hal ini terkait dengan permasalahan yang terjadi disekitar penambangan pasir akan dikaji menggunakan platform deep ecology Arne Naess. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yakni menganalisis secara kritis mengenai aktivitas penambangan pasir Merapi yang ada di sekitar Sungai Gendol selain itu juga merumuskan solusi terkait permasalahan yang terjadi. Data dikumpulkan dengan cara studi pustaka, wawancara mendalam dengan pejabat kecamatan, dinas lingkungan hidup, penambang pasir, maupun dengan pengamatan lapangan. Teori Deep Ecology memiliki kelebihan di antaranya bertitik tolak dari ideologi keberlanjutan sistem ekologi membawa perubahan fundamental pada tatanan kehidupan sosial, ekonomi dan politik. Deep Ecology memandang bahwa makhluk hidup biotik maupun abiotik saling terkait sehingga harus dihormati dan dihargai. Kurangnya kesadaran masyarakat penambang pasir menyebabkan terjadinya kerusakan lingkungan. Sumberdaya pasir atau batu bukan untuk dikuasai dan direduksi secara berlebih, namun dapat digunakan sebagai sarana memenuhi kebutuhan kehidupan vital manusia. Perubahan pandangan dan sikap yang arif dalam memperlakukan alam harus selalu dimiliki oleh seluruh masyarakat maupun pemerintah terkait.
Diatomaceous Earth: Characterization, thermal modification, and application
Authors: Reka Arianit A. , Pavlovski Blagoj , Fazlija Emira , Berisha Avni , Pacarizi Musaj , Daghmehchi Maria , Sacalis Carmen , Jovanovski Gligor , Makreski Petre , Oral Ayhan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe diatomaceous earth (DE), collected from the Mariovo region in North Macedonia, was characterized and thermally modified. The material represents a sedimentary rock of biogenic origin, soft solid that can be easily disintegrated, with white to grayish color, with bulk density of 0.51–0.55 g/cm3, total porosity of 61–63%, and specific gravity of 2.25 g/cm3. The chemical composition is as follows: SiO2,86.03; Al2O3, 3.01; Fe2O3, 2.89; MnO, 0.06; TiO2,0.20; CaO, 0.76; MgO, 0.28; K2O, 0.69; Na2O, 0.19; P2O5, 0.15; and loss of ignition, 5.66 (wt%). The mineralogy of the raw DE is characterized by the predominant presence of amorphous phase, followed by crystalline quartz, muscovite, kaolinite, and feldspar. Significant changes in the opal phase are observed in the 1,000–1,200°C temperature region. At 1,100°C, the entire opal underwent solid–solid transition to cristobalite. Further ramp of the temperature (1,100–1,200°C) induced formation of mullite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy depict the presence of micro- and nanostructures with pores varying from 260 to 650 nm. SEM analysis further determined morphological changes in terms of the pore diameters shrinkage to 120–250 nm in comparison to the larger pores found in the initial material. The results from this investigation improve the understanding of mechanism of silica phase transition and the relevant phase alterations that took place in DE upon calcination temperatures from 500 to 1,200°C.
Dynamic strength properties and structural integrity of wood modified with cyclic N-methylol and N-methyl compounds
Authors: Emmerich Lukas , Brischke Christian , Bollmus Susanne , Militz Holger 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Cyclic N-methylol compounds have been used for cell wall impregnation modifications of wood. Besides an improved decay resistance and dimensional stability, the modifications resulted in a decrease of wood’s dynamic strength properties. However, the mechanisms behind a significant loss in dynamic strength are not fully understood yet. In this study, wood blocks were treated with the N-methylol compounds 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) and methylated DMDHEU (mDMDHEU) and the N-methyl compound 1,3-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroxy-ethyleneurea (DMeDHEU). In order to study the factors that control the changes of wood performance under dynamic loads, single (impact bending strength, IBS) and multiple dynamic impact (resistance to impact milling, RIM) tests were applied. It became evident, that reductions in IBS and RIM increased with increasing solid content, formaldehyde content and catalyst concentration of the impregnation solutions, but were not affected by a cold-water leaching. Differences in structural integrity of wood modified with N-methylol and N-methyl compounds were more pronounced than those of IBS. Therefore, RIM appeared more sensitive to changes on cellular level, as a higher degree of co-condensation of the N-methylol compounds with cell wall polymers was expected in comparison with the N-methyl compound.
Application of 3D digital image correlation for the measurement of the tensile mechanical properties of high-strength steel
Authors: Zhu Feipeng , Gu Xiaoxia , Bai Pengxiang , Lei Dong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
High-strength steel plays an important role in engineering fields such as infrastructure. For this reason, an accurate determination of its mechanical properties is of critical importance. Considering the inconvenience of conventional mechanical extensometers for the deformation measurement of small-scale specimens, 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) was used to measure the deformation of Grade 8.8 bolts and Q690 high-strength steel specimens by means of a uniaxial tensile test, and in this way, stress–strain curves, elastic modulus, yield strength, tensile strength, percentage elongation after fracture, and percentage reduction of area were obtained. Experimental results show that Grade 8.8 bolts and Q690 steel result in higher yield strength and tensile strength than common steel. Moreover, owing to the phenomenon that stress remains constant with strain increase in the yielding stage, the evolution process from elastic deformation to plastic deformation of the specimens during the yielding stage could be studied. Experimental results show that the axial strain of Grade 8.8 bolts increases from 0.3 to 1 % during the yielding stage and for Q690 specimens the corresponding strain increases from 0.4 to 1.8 %.
Algebraic conditions and the sparsity of spectrally arbitrary patterns
Authors: Deaett Louis , Garnett Colin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Given a square matrix A, replacing each of its nonzero entries with the symbol * gives its zero-nonzero pattern. Such a pattern is said to be spectrally arbitrary when it carries essentially no information about the eigenvalues of A. A longstanding open question concerns the smallest possible number of nonzero entries in an n × n spectrally arbitrary pattern. The Generalized 2n Conjecture states that, for a pattern that meets an appropriate irreducibility condition, this number is 2n. An example of Shitov shows that this irreducibility is essential; following his technique, we construct a smaller such example. We then develop an appropriate algebraic condition and apply it computationally to show that, for n ≤ 7, the conjecture does hold for ℝ, and that there are essentially only two possible counterexamples over ℂ. Examining these two patterns, we highlight the problem of determining whether or not either is in fact spectrally arbitrary over ℂ. A general method for making this determination for a pattern remains a major goal; we introduce an algebraic tool that may be helpful.
The Impact of Personality and Lifestyle Change on Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Balling Caroline E. , Napolitano Skye C. , Lane Sean P. , Samuel Douglas B. 
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for quantifying the impact of Five Factor Model personality domains (i.e. neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) and COVID-related lifestyle changes on psychological distress. To examine these relationships, we designed and preregistered the present study (https://osf.io/qfw9h). We assessed a large, heterogeneous sample including undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff of a large, public, Midwestern university (n = 1055) to ascertain whether personality domains uniquely predicted distress in response to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. This was a three-panel study in which the same potential participant pools were invited to participate at each survey announcement. Data collection occurred between early March through late May 2020, from within days of local shelter-in-place order onset to within days of reaching 100,000 COVID-related deaths in the USA. Domain and distress scores were determined from self-reported ratings on the Big Five Inventory and the 21-Item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, respectively. Participants also reported personal experiences with six COVID-specific lifestyle impacts: insufficient outdoor or indoor living space, job insecurity, income insecurity, or taking care of or homeschooling school-aged children during working hours. Zero-order correlations revealed that all personality domains except openness had statistically significant correlations with distress, and all correlations were negative except for that of neuroticism. When entered simultaneously, neuroticism was the predominant risk factor of distress that held across all preregistered and exploratory analyses. Our expectation that extraversion would be negatively associated with distress was not supported broadly, while agreeableness was a unique potential risk factor (though this effect was mostly limited to exploratory analyses). The results especially highlight the link between employment and income uncertainty with psychological distress, while also identifying insufficient indoor and outdoor space as potential risk factors. We hope these findings inform future public health action and further emphasize the utility of personality trait models in general.
Regulation of Rat Mesangial Cell Migration by Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Angiotensin II, and Adrenomedullin
Authors: KOHNO MASAKAZU , YASUNARI KENICHI , MINAMI MIEKO , KANO HIROAKI , MAEDA KENSAKU , MANDAL ANIL K. , INOKI KEN , HANEDA MASAKAZU , YOSHIKAWA JUNICHI 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
This study sought to determine whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and angiotensin II (AngII) stimulate migration of cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. After finding that this was so, the effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) and cAMP-elevating agents on basal and stimulated mesangial cell migration were examined. Two isoforms of PDGF, AB and BB, stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 1 and 50 ng/ml, while the AA isoform lacked significant effect. AngII modestly but significantly stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L. Rat ADM significantly inhibited the PDGF BB- and AngII-stimulated migration in a concentration-dependent manner between 10-8 and 10-7 mol/L. Inhibition by rat ADM was accompanied by an increase in cellular cAMP. cAMP agonists or inducers such as 8-bromo cAMP, forskolin, and prostaglandin I2 also significantly reduced the stimulated migration. H 89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, attenuated the inhibitory effect of ADM, and a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, human CGRP (8-37), abolished the inhibitory effects of rat ADM. These results suggest that PDGF AB and BB as well as AngII stimulate rat mesangial cell migration and that ADM can inhibit PDGF BB- and AngII-stimulated migration, at least in part through cAMP-dependent mechanisms likely to involve specific ADM receptors with which CGRP interacts. The adenylate cyclase/cAMP/PKA system may be involved in the migration-inhibitory effect of ADM in these cells.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction Attenuates Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Proteinuria in Glomerulonephritis
Authors: DATTA PRASUN K. , KOUKOURITAKI SEVASTI B. , HOPP KATHLEEN A. , LIANOS ELIAS A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
In glomerulonephritis, there is intraglomerular activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) leading to high output production of nitric oxide (NO). This can result in supraphysiologic amounts of NO and cause oxidative injury. It is unknown whether mechanisms of cellular defense against NO-mediated injury exist. Induction of the heme catabolizing enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which generates biliverdin, carbon monoxide (CO), and iron (Fe), may provide such a mechanism, as CO and Fe are two negative modulators of iNOS activity and expression. This study assessed whether upregulation of HO-1 by a specific inducer, hemin, negatively modulates iNOS expression and activity in anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis. Glomerular HO-1 expression in nephritic animals was upregulated by treatment with hemin (30 μmol/kg body wt). iNOS and HO-1 mRNA expression were assessed by reverse transcription-PCR of glomerular total RNA from nephritic animals or nephritic animals pretreated with hemin. iNOS activity in glomeruli was measured by assessing conversion of [14C] L-arginine to [14C] L-citrulline. HO-1 protein levels in glomeruli were assessed by Western blot analysis. The effect of hemin treatment on monocyte/macrophage infiltration was assessed by enumeration of ED-1-positive cells in nephritic glomeruli. iNOS and HO-1 were coinduced in nephritic glomeruli. Hemin treatment of nephritic animals resulted in upregulation of glomerular HO-1 levels and a two- to threefold reduction in glomerular iNOS mRNA levels. iNOS activity in glomeruli was significantly reduced in hemin-treated nephritic animals in which proteinuria was also attenuated without a change in monocyte/macrophage infiltration. Hemin (100 to 200 μM) also reduced iNOS protein levels and enzyme activity in cultured mesangial cells stimulated with cytokines. These studies demonstrate that in glomerular immune injury, hemin treatment upregulates glomerular HO-1 with an attendant downregulation of iNOS expression, and thus points to regulatory interaction between the two systems. The beneficial effect of hemin treatment on proteinuria could be linked to downregulation of iNOS.