bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of Dried Blood Spots for Maternal Biomonitoring of Nonessential Elements in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Area of Tanzania
Authors: Nyanza Elias C. , Dewey Deborah , Bernier Francois , Manyama Mange , Hatfield Jennifer , Martin Jonathan W. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Biomonitoring studies of vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries are limited because traditional sampling methods are challenging to implement in low-resource settings. The present study examined the feasibility, precision, and accuracy of dried blood spots (DBS) for human biomonitoring of nonessential elements (cadmium [Cd], mercury [Hg], and lead [Pb]) in an area of northern Tanzania with artisanal and small-scale gold mining activities. Pregnant women (n = 44) were recruited in Geita during antenatal clinic visits, and DBS from capillary blood were collected on filter paper. As a gold-standard comparison, venous blood was sampled from the same participants and compared with the DBS. Venous blood, DBS, and quality control samples were analyzed for chemical elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Field blanks were very clean for most elements, generally only twice as high as corresponding laboratory filter blanks. No significant differences were found between duplicate DBS samples taken from the same participants, with near perfect intraclass correlation coefficients (0.99) for Cd, Hg, and Pb, indicating excellent reliability. Moreover, correlation was strong (r2 &gt; 0.9) and significant (p &lt; 0.0001) between DBS and the quantitative venous blood, with regression line slopes close to 1.0 (0.847, 0.976, and 0.969 for Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively), indicating high accuracy of the DBS method compared with the gold-standard approach. The DBS method is minimally invasive and was a feasible, precise, and accurate means of measuring exposure to Cd, Hg, and Pb in pregnant women in a low-resource setting. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1285–1293. © 2019 SETAC
Efficient controller placement and reelection mechanism in distributed control system for software defined wireless sensor networks
Authors: Kobo Hlabishi I. , Abu‐Mahfouz Adnan M. , Hancke Gerhard P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSoftware‐defined wireless sensor networking (SDWSN) is a new wireless networking paradigm formed by applying software‐defined networking to wireless sensor networks. Fragmentation‐based distributed control system offers an efficient way of distributing the SDWSN control services across the network. Fragmentation aims to bring the control services closer to the infrastructure network in order to reduce the propagation latency. It also aims to improve the scalability, reliability, and performance of the network. The fragmentation model is earmarked to play a huge role in stimulating participation of SDWSN in Internet of Things. To realize this, we optimize the model for deployment and integration as well as for operational efficiency. We consider two aspects: controller placement and controller reelection after failure. This paper discusses the controller placement techniques suitable for SDWSN and the controller replacement in a case of failure for SDWSN. The controller placement and the controller replacement mechanism were both evaluated and the results proved to be effective and efficient.
A Seysen's algorithm–based incremental lattice reduction
Authors: He Qinwei , Hu Yulin , Schmeink Anke 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLattice reduction (LR)–aided detections have attracted great attention in the symbol detection of multiple‐input–multiple‐output communication, especially for systems with larger scale antennas. Recently, the Lenstra‐Lenstra‐Lovász (LLL)–based incremental LR (ILR) algorithms have been proposed to employ an early termination to jointly conduct the LR and retrieve the symbol based on a partial successive interference cancellation (SIC) detection, which induces a significant performance improvement. In this paper, we propose to apply the Seysen's algorithm (SA) to the ILR. After providing the feasibility analysis, two novel SA involved algorithms are introduced and studied. In particular, a new sorted QR decomposition‐based SA algorithm is proposed and tested as it plays a key role in the SIC detection. Subsequently, a novel SA‐based ILR scheme is further developed and investigated. By simulations, we show that the proposed approach outperforms conventional LLL‐based ILR in various aspects, while only a marginal increment in the complexity, restricted to medium signal‐to‐noise‐ratio regions, is observed.
The Oslo Study of Clonidine in Elderly Patients with Delirium; LUCID: a randomised placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Hov Karen R. , Neerland Bjørn Erik , Undseth Øystein , Wyller Vegard Bruun Bratholm , MacLullich Alasdair M.J. , Qvigstad Eirik , Skovlund Eva , Wyller Torgeir Bruun 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this double‐blinded randomised placebo‐controlled trial was to investigate the efficacy of clonidine for delirium in medical inpatients greater than 65 years.MethodsAcutely admitted medical patients greater than 65 years with delirium or subsyndromal delirium were eligible for inclusion. Included patients were given a loading dose of either placebo or clonidine; 75 μg every third hour up to a maximum of four doses to reach steady state and further 75 μg twice daily until delirium free for 2 days, discharge or a maximum of 7 days of treatment. The primary endpoint was the trajectory of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) for the 7 days of treatment. Presence of delirium according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) criteria and severity measured by MDAS were assessed daily until discharge or a maximum of 7 days after end of treatment.ResultsBecause of slower enrolment than anticipated, the study was halted early. Ten patients in each group were studied. The low recruitment rate was mainly due to the presence of multiple patient exclusion criteria for patient safety. There was no significant difference between the treatment group in the primary endpoint comparing the trajectory of MDAS for the 7 days of treatment using mixed linear models with log transformation, (P = .60). The treatment group did not have increased adverse effects.ConclusionsNo effect of clonidine for delirium was found, although the study was under powered. Further studies in less frail populations are now required.
Validation of a brief Multicultural Cognitive Examination (MCE) for evaluation of dementia
Authors: Nielsen T. Rune , Segers Kurt , Vanderaspoilden Valérie , Beinhoff Ulrike , Minthon Lennart , Pissiota Anna , Bekkhus‐Wetterberg Peter , Bjørkløf Guro Hanevold , Tsolaki Magda , Gkioka Mara , Waldemar Gunhild 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to present the psychometric properties of a newly designed cognitive screening instrument, the Multicultural Cognitive Examination (MCE), and to compare it with the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) in a multicultural population.MethodsThe study was a Western European cross‐sectional multicenter study. The MCE consists of four components evaluating separate cognitive functions and was constructed by adding measures of memory, verbal fluency, and visuospatial function to the RUDAS to create a scale with 0 to 100 points.ResultsA total of 66 patients with dementia and 123 cognitively intact participants were included across six memory clinics; 96 had minority ethnic background, and 93 had majority ethnic background. Moderate to large differences were present between patients with dementia and control participants on all MCE components. The MCE significantly improved diagnostic accuracy compared with using the RUDAS alone, with area under the curves of .918, .984, and .991 for the RUDAS, MCE composite, and demographically corrected composite scores, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of the MCE did not significantly differ between minority and majority ethnic groups. Across MCE subcomponents, patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia performed significantly poorer on the memory component compared with those with non‐AD dementia.ConclusionsThe MCE is a brief cross‐cultural cognitive screening instrument that expands evaluation of the cognitive functions covered by the RUDAS, does not require any specialized training, and may be useful for classification of mild dementia or dementia subtypes.
Elements of community‐based models for treating hepatitis C virus in supporting HCV elimination in Australia: A Delphi study
Authors: Pourmarzi Davoud , Smirnov Andrew , Hepworth Julie , Rahman Tony , FitzGerald Gerrard , Hall Lisa 
Published: March 2019

SummaryBackgroundA key to achieving the goal of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is the provision of its treatment in community settings. This study aimed to identify the important organisational and operational elements of community‐based models for treating HCV and their feasibility in the Australian context.MethodsA Delphi study was conducted with 33 experts from Australia. The questionnaire included 13 elements drawn from the literature. Participants rated each element on a five‐point Likert scale for importance and feasibility and suggested additional elements. Consensus was identified when the sum of categories 1 and 2 or 4 and 5 of the five‐point Likert scale reached greater than or equal to 70%.ResultsEight elements reached consensus in regard to importance including “Safe and enabling environment,” “Training and support for healthcare providers,” “Open referral policy,” “Linkage with or providing outreach services,” “Person‐centred approach,” “On‐site screening and assessment,” “Linkage or co‐location with harm reduction services,” and “Linkage or co‐location with drug and alcohol services.” At least 65% of participants agreed implementing elements of open referral policy, Training and support for healthcare providers, and Person‐centred approach are usually or always/very feasible. For the other five elements, this was agreed to by a range of 15.2%‐57.6% of participants.ConclusionSuccessful community‐based models for treating HCV in Australia are dependent on the integration and coordination of care and the support provided for both patients and healthcare providers. Substantial work is required across policy and health service planning to integrate these highly rated elements into Australian primary health care.
Institutional Analysis on Stakeholder Participation in China's Environmental Impact Assessment: A State–Attribution–Motivation–Interaction–Reengineering Framework
Authors: Li Yifan , Li Hua 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) play an essential role in promoting sustainable development by coordinating and balancing economic, social, and environmental objectives. As one of its mandatory components, stakeholder participation (SP) is designed to contribute to the implementation of EIAs as well as the relevant decision making with regard to a proposed project. Stakeholder participation ranges from being a token process to being a very effective practice; it has been criticized as ineffective in an authoritarian context. This research investigates the SP process of project EIAs via 3 case studies. A developed State–Attribution–Motivation– Interaction–Reengineering (SAMIR) framework is used to identify the causes, results, and substantive changes among 3 main actors or organizations: citizens, enterprises, and local governments. It demonstrates that the endogenous interactions among 3 institutional pillars—regulative, normative, and cognitive—are the root of institutional change. Initial cognitive actions can lead to regulative and normative social institutional change, thus stimulating the reengineering of the institutions’ system relevant to SP. To facilitate institutional innovation and reengineering of SP with Chinese characteristics, it is of crucial importance to deeply reform and detail institutional design, to promote the SP governance structural change from a closed model to an open model. In order for such change to occur, the following are recommended: Move from government to governance, have institutional innovations follow the mass line, pay more attention to fairness rather than focusing on efficiency, and in addition, disseminate science and promote actors’ communication. The benefits and advantages are instruments to overcome the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) impact. And reengineering government structural change from and administration paradigm to a governance paradigm plays a primary role. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:607–620. © 2019 SETAC
Plasticity in the feeding ecology of native Ponto‐Caspian gobies suggests establishment success in their nonnative range
Authors: Tarkan Ali Serhan , Tepeköy Erdi G. , Karakuş Uğur , Top Nildeniz , Vilizzi Lorenzo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe feeding ecology of the two gobiid species monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis and western tubenose goby
Proterorhinus semilunaris was studied in four natural lakes of the Marmara Region (NW Turkey), with special emphasis on seasonal and ontogenetic shifts in diet. Both species had similar food composition consisting of zooplankton and detritus. However, diet composition of both species significantly varied amongst lakes, and particularly so for
P. semilunaris with seasonal and ontogenetic differences. Diet composition and seasonal/ontogenetic differences were overall similar to other populations of these gobiid species from both their native and nonnative ranges. The present findings suggest high plasticity in the diet of these two gobies, which can opportunistically utilize available food resources.
Volcanic rock‐based ceramsite adsorbent for highly selective fluoride removal: function optimization and mechanism
Authors: Chao Chunfang , Zhao Yingxin , Song Qian , Min Ji , Wang Zijian , Ma Huilin , Li Xin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDWhile various granular adsorbents have been studied for fluoride removal from water, this study focuses on the optimization of mixture proportions of volcanic rock, bentonite, corn starch and aluminum sulfate using a four‐component simplex‐centroid mixture design (SCMD) method to achieve preferable fluoride removal ratio and ceramsite mechanical strength. To illustrate the adsorption mechanism, a series of experiments, including adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and effects of pH value and co‐existing anions, was carried out.RESULTSThe synthesized adsorbent was mesoporous with 77.82% pore size distribution in the range 1.70–38.80 nm by detailed physicochemical characterization. A stable fluoride removal ratio (87.5%) was obtained in the wide pH range of 4.0–11.0, and the adsorption capacity was 10.17 mg g−1 at 298 K. The adsorbent remained high selectivity for F− in the presence of sulfate (SO42−), chloride (Cl−) and nitrate (NO3−), while carbonate (HCO3−) posed a slight adverse effect on F− adsorption due to ion competition. This adsorption process was well fitted with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model. Electrostatic attraction and M+‐H2O and M+‐F ligand exchange were dominant in the adsorption mechanisms.CONCLUSIONThe synthesized ceramsite adsorbent will be competitive in the application for F− removal from aquatic environments. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Macromorphological and micromorphological seed features of selected taxa of Caesalpiniaceae using light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Ullah Farhat , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Jabeen Asma , Sultana Shazia , Ghani Abdul , Luqman Muhammad , Nazish Moona , Alam Fakhre 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSeed micromorphological and macromorphological characteristics of 12 taxa of Caesalpiniaceae from Pakistan have been studied, using light and scanning electron microscopy, to investigate the importance of seed coat features as a taxonomic tool. Great variations have been observed in color, shape, dimension, and seed surface pattern among the different genera of the family. A taxonomic key was prepared for the studied taxa. Six types of seed shapes were observed; circular, elliptical, irregular, oblong, oval, and ovoid. All examined seeds were hard except fragile seeds of Haematoxylom campechianum. Eight types of surface ornamentation have been noticed that include levigate, lugose, papillate, reticulate, reticulate irregular, reticulate regular, rhombus, and rogues. Majority of the taxa has been observed with thick ornamentation wall but thin ornamentation wall has also been recorded in few species. Fracture line of the various patterns was present in all taxa except genus Bauhinia. Three types of texture crudeness; coarse, medium, and fine have been recorded. Both micromorphological and macromorphological characters of seed are very fruitful in identification and classification of Caesalpiniaceae.
Below the surface: The inner lives of TLR4 and TLR9
Authors: Marongiu Laura , Gornati Laura , Artuso Irene , Zanoni Ivan , Granucci Francesca 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
TLRs are a class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect invading microbes by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Upon PAMP engagement, TLRs activate a signaling cascade that leads to the production of inflammatory mediators. The localization of TLRs, either on the plasma membrane or in the endolysosomal compartment, has been considered to be a fundamental aspect to determine to which ligands the receptors bind, and which transduction pathways are induced. However, new observations have challenged this view by identifying complex trafficking events that occur upon TLR-ligand binding. These findings have highlighted the central role that endocytosis and receptor trafficking play in the regulation of the innate immune response. Here, we review the TLR4 and TLR9 transduction pathways and the importance of their different subcellular localization during the inflammatory response. Finally, we discuss the implications of TLR9 subcellular localization in autoimmunity.
Guanylate-binding proteins at the crossroad of noncanonical inflammasome activation during bacterial infections
Authors: Gomes Marco Túlio R , Cerqueira Daiane M , Guimarães Erika S , Campos Priscila C , Oliveira Sergio C 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The immune system is armed with a broad range of receptors to detect and initiate the elimination of bacterial pathogens. Inflammasomes are molecular platforms that sense a diverse range of microbial insults to develop appropriate host response. In that context, noncanonical inflammasome arose as a sensor for Gram-negative bacteria-derived LPS leading to the control of infections. This review describes the role of caspase-11/gasdermin-d-dependent immune response against Gram-negative bacteria and presents an overview of guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) at the interface of noncanonical inflammasome activation. Indeed, caspase-11 acts as a receptor for LPS and this interaction elicits caspase-11 autoproteolysis that is required for its optimal catalytic activity. Gasdermin-D is cleaved by activated caspase-11 generating an N-terminal domain that is inserted into the plasmatic membrane to form pores that induce pyroptosis, a cell death program involved in intracellular bacteria elimination. This mechanism also promotes IL-1β release and potassium efflux that connects caspase-11 to NLRP3 activation. Furthermore, GBPs display many features to allow LPS recognition by caspase-11, initiating the noncanonical inflammasome response prompting the immune system to control bacterial infections. In this review, we discuss the recent findings and nuances related to this mechanism and its biological functions.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection among adults during influenza season: A frequently overlooked diagnosis
Authors: Martínez‐Sanz Javier , Gilaberte Reyzábal Sergio , Salillas Juan , Lago Gómez María Rosa , Rodríguez‐Zurita M. Elena , Torralba Miguel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOur objective is to assess the characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adult patients and to establish differences with influenza viruses. Fifty‐four patients diagnosed with RSV and 198 with influenza were prospectively included. Compared with influenza, empirical antimicrobial therapy was more frequent in patients diagnosed with RSV, whereas antibiotic withdrawal at the time of diagnosis confirmation was lower (OR, 0.12; CI, 95% 0.01‐0.90; P = 0.040). RSV‐positive patients were more likely to need hospital readmission (OR, 3.00; CI, 95% 0.98‐9.09; P = 0.053). The role of RSV infection in adults is often overlooked, leading to inappropriate use of antibiotics and a probable increase in nosocomial RSV transmission.
Incidence and seasonality of respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory infections in the Northern United Arab Emirates
Authors: Jeon Jae‐Hyun , Han Minje , Chang Ho‐Eun , Park Sung‐Soo , Lee Jae‐Woong , Ahn Young‐Joon , Hong Duck‐Jin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe data on the seasonality of respiratory viruses helps to ensure the optimal vaccination period and to monitor the possible outbreaks of variant type.ObjectivesThis study was designed to describe the molecular epidemiology and seasonality of acute respiratory infection (ARI)‐related respiratory viruses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsBoth upper and lower respiratory specimens were collected for the analysis from all the patients who visited the Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital (SKSH) with ARI for over 2 years. The multiplex real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR) test was used to detect respiratory viruses, which include human adenovirus, influenza virus (FLU) A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus, human enterovirus, human coronavirus, and human bocavirus.ResultsA total of 1,362 respiratory samples were collected from 733 (53.8%) male and 629 (46.2%) female patients with ARI who visited the SKSH between November 2015 and February 2018. The rRT‐PCR test revealed an overall positivity rate of 37.2% (507/1362). The positive rate increased during winter; it was highest in December and lowest in September. FLU was the most frequently detected virus (273/1362 [20.0%]), followed by human rhinovirus (146/1362 [10.7%]). The FLU positivity rate showed two peaks, which occurred in August and December. The peak‐to‐low ratio for FLU was 2.26 (95% confidence interval: 1.52‐3.35).ConclusionsThe pattern of FLU in the UAE parallels to that of temperate countries. The trend of the small peak of FLU in the summer suggests a possibility of semi‐seasonal pattern in the UAE.