bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water transport from opencast coal mine soils: An experimental study
Authors: Wang Fengjiao , Wang Jinman 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe use of heavy machinery during opencast coal mining can result in soil compaction. Severe soil compaction has a negative impact on the transport of water and gas in the soil. In addition, rainfall intensity has traditionally been related to soil surface sealing affecting water transport. To assess the effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water infiltration and surface runoff in an opencast coal mining area, the disturbed soils from the Antaibao opencast mine in Shanxi Province, China, were collected. Four soil columns with different bulk densities (i.e., 1.4 g cm‐3, 1.5 g cm‐3, 1.6 g cm‐3, and 1.7 g cm‐3) were designed, and each column received water five times at rainfall intensities of 23.12, 28.91, 38.54, 57.81, and 115.62 mm hr‐1. The total volume of runoff, the time to start runoff, and the volumetric water contents at the depths of 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, 45 cm, 55 cm, and 65 cm were measured. Under the same soil bulk density, high rainfall intensity reduced infiltration, increased surface runoff, and decreased the magnitude of change in the volumetric water contents at different depths. Under the same rainfall intensity, the soil column with a high bulk density showed relatively low water infiltration. Treatments 3 (1.6 g cm‐3) and 4 (1.7 g cm‐3) had very small changes in volumetric water contents of the profiles even under a lower rainfall intensity. Severe soil compaction was highly prone to surface runoff after rainfall. Engineering and revegetation measures are available to improve compacted soil quality in dumps. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the management of land reclamation in opencast coal mine areas.
Two‐scale image decomposition based image fusion using structure tensor
Authors: Du Jiao , Li Weisheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe PET/SPECT image generates functional information of the human brain. In the field of multimodal medical image fusion, the decomposition scheme of PET/SPECT image in pseudo‐color is thought to be negligible. In this article, a two‐step model for PET/SPECT image decomposition is proposed to achieve contrast enhancement that inherently captures gradient to distinguish individual edge information from detail information. First, sharp structure is preserved using structure tensor on the intensity component of PET/SPECT image. Second, sharp structure in gray is transformed back into the image in pseudo‐color by generalized intensity‐hue‐saturation, one of the color space methods. The combination of structure tensor and generalized intensity‐hue‐saturation based fusion technique can preserve not only more intensity information but also functional information content. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed decomposition method in the context of PET/SPECT image and then make a comparison of fusion result by two‐scale image fusion method in terms of the full‐reference objective metric structural similarity and no‐reference objective metric natural image quality evaluator.
Analysis of relation between skin elasticity and the entropy of skin image using near‐infrared and visible light sources
Authors: Jung Geunho , Lee Min Young , Kim Sungchul , Lee Jee‐Bum , Kim Jae G. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSkin elasticity has been regarded as one of the main indicators of skin condition. Current measurement devices for skin elasticity are mostly expensive for home‐use and should contact the skin surface. As a first step to develop improved methods, we focus on the relation between skin elasticity and the entropy of skin images. Reduced skin elasticity causes wrinkles. It spreads frequency components and increases their randomness in the frequency domain. The randomness is quantified as entropy, which is a measure of the disorder of a system in physics. Therefore, skin elasticity is expected to have a negative relation with entropy. This tendency can be improved by applying penetration depth characteristics according to the wavelength of light. From cheeks and forehead of 12 Korean adults, skin images are acquired with three different light sources (470 nm, 870 nm and broadband light) and skin elasticity is measured. The root mean square error between the measured data and the fitted model is “0.27” (870 nm), “0.49” (broadband light) and “1.42” (470 nm). Furthermore, the results are analyzed by classifying by sex, age and measurement area. This study demonstrates the possibility of developing noncontact home‐use devices to measure skin elasticity in the future.
In vivo monitoring the dynamic process of acute retinal hemorrhage and repair in zebrafish with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: Lin Yanping , Xiang Xiang , Chen Tingru , Mao Guangjuan , Deng Lijun , Zeng Lvming , Zhang Jian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRetina, the only light sensor in the human eye, is hidden and extremely fragile. Optimized animal models and efficient imaging techniques are very important for the study of retinopathy. In this work, the rapid retinal injury process and the long‐term retinal repair process were in vivo continuously evaluated with a novel imaging technology spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) in a unique animal model zebrafish. Acute retinal injury was constructed on adult zebrafish by needle injection surgery. SD‐OCT imaging was carried out immediately after the mechanical injury. The retinal hemorrhage, which lasted only 5 seconds, could be visualized dynamically by SD‐OCT. The process of blood clearance and retinal repair was also evaluated because SD‐OCT imaging is nondestructive. Both SD‐OCT imaging results and behavioral analyzing results demonstrated that zebrafish retina could be repaired by itself within 15 days, which was confirmed by the results of pathological experiment.
Safety of light emitting diode‐red light on human skin: Two randomized controlled trials
Authors: Jagdeo Jared , Nguyen Julie K. , Ho Derek , Wang Erica B. , Austin Evan , Mamalis Andrew , Kaur Ramanjot , Kraeva Ekaterina , Schulman Joshua M. , Li Chin‐Shang , Hwang Samuel T. , Wun Ted , Maverakis Emanual , Isseroff R. Rivkah 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTherapeutic applications of light emitting diode‐red light (LED‐RL) are expanding, yet data on its clinical effects are lacking. Our goal was to evaluate the safety of high fluence LED‐RL (≥160 J/cm2). In two phase I, single‐blind, dose escalation, randomized controlled trials, healthy subjects received LED‐RL or mock irradiation to the forearm thrice weekly for 3 weeks at fluences of 160‐640 J/cm2 for all skin types (STARS 1, n = 60) and at 480‐640 J/cm2 for non‐Hispanic Caucasians (STARS 2, n = 55). The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). The maximum tolerated dose was the highest fluence that did not elicit predefined AEs. Dose‐limiting AEs, including blistering and prolonged erythema, occurred at 480 J/cm2 in STARS 1 (n = 1) and 640 J/cm2 in STARS 2 (n = 2). AEs of transient erythema and hyperpigmentation were mild. No serious AEs occurred. We determined that LED‐RL is safe up to 320 J/cm2 for skin of color and 480 J/cm2 for non‐Hispanic Caucasian individuals. LED‐RL may exert differential cutaneous effects depending on race and ethnicity, with darker skin being more photosensitive. These findings may guide future studies to evaluate the efficacy of LED‐RL for the treatment of various diseases.
Microeconomic Determinants of Household Savings in Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Emmanuel O. , Anumudu Charles N. , Nnamchi Chioma E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the determinants of saving in Nigeria from the microeconomic perspective. The study particularly focuses on the importance of household socio‐economic characteristics in determining the level of household savings. The study uses the Nigeria Household Survey data to carry out the analysis within the framework of perceived household utility theory. Two‐stage least squares and ordinary least squares methods were employed in the estimations. The results show that household ownership of land, household size, occupation, location and age are significant determinants of household saving in Nigeria. Other determinants are the household living conditions, marital status and availability of infrastructure such as electricity. The results show that household socio‐economic characteristics, locational and zonal factors are important determinants of household saving accumulation in Nigeria and thus should not be ignored by policymakers in formulating capital accumulation policies. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Species‐dependent effect of cover cropping on trace elements and nutrients in vineyard soil and Vitis
Authors: Vystavna Yuliya , Schmidt Susanne I. , Klimenko Olga E. , Plugatar Yury V. , Klimenko Nikolay I. , Klimenko Nina N. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe research focused on the evaluation of the impact of cover cropping on trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Co and Cd) and nutrients in vineyard soils and Vitis vinifera L. For this purpose, two types of cover crops (Lolium perenne L. and Medicago sativa L.) and their mixture were planted between vine rows of Muscat white in the vineyard in South Crimea. Trace elements, nutrients and other parameters were analyzed in the soil layers, leaves and grapevines of control and cover cropped plots.RESULTSThe effect of cover cropping was dependent on applied plant species. Ryegrass (L. perenne L.) seems to compete with V. vinifera L. for nutrients – these were lower in the soil and vines of the treated plot. In parallel, lead (Pb) bioconcentration in grapevines was reduced. In contrast, under lucerne (M. sativa L.), nitrogen in the soil and vines, and trace metal bioconcentration (Fe, Pb and Co) were higher.CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that cover cropping can influence the chemical composition of soil and vines. This should be considered when selecting cover crops. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry assay for the simultaneous determination of three major flavonoids and their glucuronidated metabolites in rats after oral administration of Artemisia annua L. extract at a therapeutic ultra‐low dose
Authors: Wang Shuqi , Cai Tianyu , Liu Huixiang , Yang Aijuan , Xing Jie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe traditional antimalarial herb Artemisia annua L., from which artemisinin is isolated, is widely used in endemic regions. It has been suggested that artemisinin activity can be enhanced by flavonoids in A. annua; however, how fast and how long the flavonoids are present in the body remains unknown. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of three major flavonoids components, i.e. chrysosplenol D, chrysoplenetin, and artemetin and their glucuronidated metabolites in rats after oral administrations of A. annua extracts at a therapeutic ultra‐low dose. The concentration of the intact form was determined directly, and the concentration of the glucuronidated form was assayed in the form of flavonoids aglycones, after treatment with β‐glucuronidase/sulfatase. The method was linear in the range of 0.5–300.0 ng/mL for chrysoplenetin and artemetin, and 2–600 ng/mL for chrysosplenol D. All the validation data conformed to the acceptance requirements. The study revealed a significantly higher exposure of the flavonoid constituents in conjugated forms in rats, with only trace intact from. Multiple oral doses of A. annua extracts led to a decreased plasma concentration levels for three flavonoids.
The association between glycated albumin, glycohemoglobin, and glycated albumin to glycohemoglobin ratio in diabetic retinopathy of prediabetes
Authors: Lee Mei‐Yueh , Hsu Wei‐Hao , Lai Chia‐Wei , Chen Szu‐Chia , Liang Ching‐Chao 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPrediabetes increased risk of diabetes and diabetes‐related macrovascular and microvascular complication. Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) is clinically used as the gold standard for glycemic control of diabetes. Glycated albumin (GA) is an early Amadori‐type glycation protein between glucose and serum albumin, which changes in a shorter period of time than HbA1c and is superior to HbA1c in reflecting fluctuations in blood glucose. In this study, we aim to assess the predictive value of GA and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) on a progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in prediabetic patients in Taiwan. This study was conducted at the outpatient department of a regional hospital in Southern Taiwan, and recruited 291 patients with prediabetes from January 2016 to February 2017. Blood and urine samples were obtained from all patients after fasting for 12 hours within 1 month of enrollment. The mean age is 62.5 ± 13.0 years and there are 161 males and 130 females. A total of 24.1% of patients have DR. The average value of GA and HbA1c are 14.6% ± 2.8% and 6.0% ± 0.4%, respectively. Old age, male, high systolic blood pressure, high HbA1C, and low total cholesterol are significantly associated with DR in patients with pre‐DM. Therefore, in the prediabetic populations, high HbA1C, but not GA nor GA/HbA1C ratio, is significantly associated with DR.
Hydrological regime responses to Holocene East Asian summer monsoon circulation in marshes of the Sanjiang Plain, NE China
Authors: Zhang Zhenqing , Yao Qiang , Liu Kam‐biu , Xu Qinghai , Wang Guoping 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, grain‐size records of 128 surface samples and six sediment cores retrieved from freshwater marshes across the Sanjiang Plain were employed to reconstruct the marshes' hydrological variation during the Holocene and to discuss its links to the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) variation. The grain‐size hydrological significance for the marshes' deposits was first interpreted by quantitative analyses of 128 modern samples. The results indicate that the sand fraction exhibits a higher level significance to modern water‐level conditions than other grain‐size parameters. Thus, the sand accumulation rates of the six cores were calculated and employed to reconstruct the Holocene hydrological regime of the marshes on the plain. Based on the cluster analysis, it can be identified that three higher water‐level stages occurred during 6.2–5.6 thousand yr BP, 5.6–4.5 thousand yr BP, and 2.8–2.4 thousand yr BP, whereas four lower water‐level stages occurred during ~8.0–6.2 thousand yr BP, 4.5–2.8 thousand yr BP, 2.4–0.7 thousand yr BP, and 0.7–0 thousand yr BP, respectively. Considering the prevalent monsoon climate on the modern Sanjiang Plain, it is reasonable to believe that the local water‐level fluctuations were mainly regulated by the EASM variation rather than local factors including flooding, waterway modification, depression infilling, and human activities. The higher water‐level stages were linked to a stronger EASM and vice versa. This study provides essential background datasets for understanding the potential controls on the marsh development and degradation on the Sanjiang Plain.
Thulium Laser‐Assisted Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for the Small Renal Mass
Authors: Wang Yubin , Shao Jinkai , Lü Yongan , Li Xiaodong 
Published: September 2019

Background and ObjectivesLaparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) has gained acceptance as a minimally invasive treatment option for small renal masses (SRMs). Laser‐assisted LPN (LLPN) provided a bloodless tumor excision without renal artery clamping owing to the excellent coagulative and hemostatic properties of the lasers. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the technical feasibility and outcomes of 2‐μm continuous thulium LLPN and conventional LPN (CLPN) in the treatment of patients with SRMs.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the medical charts of 312 patients with SRMs who underwent minimally invasive nephron‐sparing surgery in our institution between January 2013 and December 2017. All 36 LLPN patients were matched with 36 CLPN patients. Surgical data, complications, pathological variables, oncological, functional, and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes were reviewed.ResultsThe two groups were similar in demographic characteristics. The renal vessels were not clamped in the LLPN group. Compared with the CLPN group, patients in the LLPN group had shorter warm ischemia time (WIT) (0 vs. 12.4 minutes, P = 0.000), longer tumor resection time (9.5 vs. 2.2 minutes; P = 0.000), and decreased operative time (84.1 vs. 95.5 minutes, p = 0.029). There were no open conversions and no transfusion in both groups. Median follow‐ups for LLPN and CLPN were 56.2 and 48.6 months, respectively. The complication rate, renal functional outcomes, local recurrence rates, recurrence‐free survival rates, and SF‐36 questionnaire score were similar between the two groups.ConclusionsAlthough this matched pair study showed CLPN had a longer WIT and higher operative time, the oncological and functional outcomes of LLPN and CLPN were similar. Both LLPN and CLPN are viable treatment options for select patients with SRMs. Lasers Surg Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study on preparation and corrosion behavior of nano rare earth oxide‐modified chromized coatings
Authors: Wang Qin‐Ying , Tang Yi‐Rong , Pei Rui , Xi Yu‐Chen , Wan Shanhong 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe corrosion resistance of carbon steel in a harsh environment was improved by preparing a chromized coating on the surface through the method of pack cementation. Nano rare earth‐oxides (NREOs), Y2O3, CeO2, and La2O3 were added to the pack and to further enhance the performance of the chromized coatings. Morphological results showed that NREO refined the microstructure of chromized coatings by retarding the growth of grains. The Mott–Schottky plots demonstrated that coating Cr–La2O3 displayed fewer defects than the other two composite coatings, which was beneficial to reduce the corrosion tendency. In addition, the potentiodynamic polarization and impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the order of the corrosion rates of the achieved coatings was pure Cr > Cr–Y2O3 > Cr–CeO2 > Cr–La2O3, which revealed that the corrosion resistance increased accordingly.
The complete genome sequence of the thermophilic bacterium Laceyella sacchari FBKL4.010 reveals the basis for tetramethylpyrazine biosynthesis in Moutai‐flavor Daqu
Authors: Li Dounan , Huang Wei , Wang Chunxiao , Qiu Shuyi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe genus Laceyella consists of a thermophilic filamentous bacteria. The pure isolate of Laceyella sacchari FBKL4.010 was isolated from Moutai‐flavor Daqu, Guizhou Province, China. In this study, the whole genome was sequenced and analyzed. The complete genome consists of one 3,374,379‐bp circular chromosome with 3,145 coding sequences (CDSs), seven clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) regions of 12 CRISPRs. Moreover, we identified that the genome contains genes encoding key enzymes such as proteases, peptidases, and acetolactate synthase (ALS) of the tetramethylpyrazine metabolic pathway. Metabolic pathways relevant to tetramethylpyrazine synthesis were also reconstructed based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) PATHWAY database. Annotation and syntenic analyses using antiSMASH 4.0 also revealed the presence of two gene clusters in this strain that differ from known tetramethylpyrazine synthesis clusters, with one encoding amino acid dehydrogenase (ADH) and the other encoding transaminase in tetramethylpyrazine metabolism. The results of this study provide flavor and genomic references for further research on the flavor‐producing functions of strain FBKL4.010 in the Moutai liquor‐making process.
Pallidal low‐frequency activity in dystonia after cessation of long‐term deep brain stimulation
Authors: Scheller Ute , Lofredi Roxanne , van Wijk Bernadette C.M. , Saryyeva Assel , Krauss Joachim K. , Schneider Gerd‐Helge , Kroneberg Daniel , Krause Patricia , Neumann Wolf‐Julian , Kühn Andrea A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigates the association between pallidal low‐frequency activity and motor sign severity in dystonia after chronic deep brain stimulation for several months.MethodsLocal field potentials were recorded in 9 dystonia patients at 5 timepoints (T1–T5) during an OFF‐stimulation period of 5 to 7 hours in parallel with clinical assessment using Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale. A linear mixed effects model was used to investigate the potential association of motor signs with local field potential activity in the low frequency (3–12 Hz) and beta range (13–30 Hz).ResultsA significant association of Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale scores with low‐frequency activity (3–12 Hz; b = 4.4; standard error = 1.5, degrees of freedom = 43, P = 0.006, 95% confidence interval, 1.3–7.5), but not beta activity (13–30 Hz) was revealed within participants across timepoints.ConclusionLow‐frequency activity is associated with dystonic motor sign severity, even months after chronic deep brain stimulation. Our findings corroborate the pathophysiological role of low‐frequency activity in dystonia and highlight the potential utility as a biomarker for adaptive neuromodulation. © 2019 Charité. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson andMovement Disorder Society
Comprehensive assessment of 12 soft computing approaches for modelling reference evapotranspiration in humid locations
Authors: Shiri Jalal , Zounemat‐Kermani Mohammad , Kisi Ozgur , Mohsenzadeh Karimi Sahar 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOwing to the lack of lysimetric data in many regions, the standard Penman–Monteith equation‐adopted by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO56‐PM model) is usually used to calculate the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). However, as this model needs many meteorological parameters that cannot be easily obtained in many regions, other simple models along with the soft computing models are used to obtain ETo values. The paper presents a comprehensive comparison of 12 soft computing models: gene expression programming (GEP), neuro‐fuzzy with grid partitioning (NF‐GP), neuro‐fuzzy with sub‐clustering (NF‐SC), multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), boosted regression tree (BT), random forest (RF), model tree (MT), support vector machine (SVM), SVM‐firefly algorithm (SVM‐FA), extreme learning machine (ELM), neural network‐particle swarm optimization (NN‐PSO) and neural network‐differential evolution (NN‐DE), to estimate daily ETo values in humid regions. Therefore, daily meteorological data from two weather stations (during a 12 year period) were used to assess the models. The obtained results revealed that very good efficiency was obtained from all the applied methods. The temperature‐based SVM‐FA (root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.324 mm, Nash–Sutcliffe co‐efficient (NS) = 0.960) and NF‐GP (RMSE = 0.272 mm, NS = 0.974) models generally provided the best accuracy when estimating the ETo of Sari and Bablosar, two humid stations in northern Iran, respectively. The accuracy ranks of the other models (from best to worst) were found to be: NN‐PSO, NF‐SC, ELM, NN‐DE, MARS, GEP, RF, SVM, BT and MT. Among the radiation‐based models, the NF‐GP provided the best accuracy at estimating the ETo of both stations. The other models were ranked as: ELM, SVM‐FA, NN‐DE, NN‐PSO, MARS, RF, BT, NF‐SC, SVM and MT, respectively.