bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accurate Diagnosis of Tick-borne Diseases in Working Dogs: The Impact of Unseen Risk Factors
Authors: Vidhya Munagala Sree , Arunkumar S. , Azhahianambi P. , Kumar T.M.A. Senthil , Chandrasekar M. 
Published: September 2024

Aims: Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are a significant concern in India due to their widespread prevalence and impact on working dogs. This study aimed to screen National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dogs in Arakkonam for canine hemoprotozoans using microscopy and PCR, while also assessing haematological and serum biochemical parameters as a part of regular health check-up.
Methodology: The study was conducted in April 2024 at the 4th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Blood samples from 39 dogs were examined using microscopy, complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemistry analysis, and PCR, including both hemoprotozoan and nested hemoprotozoan panels. The data related to hematological and serum biochemical parameters, as well as the molecular prevalence of hemoprotozoans, were statistically analyzed using Mean ± SD and Fisher's exact test in SPSS software.
Results: While microscopy did not detect piroplasms, PCR revealed Babesia spp. (28.2%), Ehrlichia canis (2.56%), and Anaplasma platys (23.1%). Nested PCR further identified Babesia gibsoni (56.4%) being the most prevalent, followed by Babesia vogeli (10.3%). Coinfections were observed in 23% (9/39) of dogs. Older dogs (>1 year) had a significantly higher infection rate than younger dogs. Labrador Retrievers showed higher infection rates, suggesting a possible breed-specific susceptibility.
Conclusion Despite tick control efforts, NDRF dogs remain at high risk due to environmental factors and interactions with stray dogs. Subclinical infections highlight the need for regular screenings and preventive measures. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive disease management strategies, including treatment of infected dogs, environmental tick control, and adherence to preventive protocols to potentially reduce transmission risks.
A Rare Case of Meningitis Caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica in a Baby at the Buea Regional Hospital, South West Region, Cameroon
Authors: Tufon Kukwah Anthony , Fokam Djike Puepi Yolande , Dominique Enyama , Mboringong Akenji Blaise , Fontem Belle Ajong , Enjema Linonge Christiana , Diomede Noukeu Njinkui , Eposse Ekoube Charlotte , Mayah Andang Paul , Wele Ganni Wilfried , Mbah Agwe Samuel , Tseuko Dorine 
Published: September 2024

Aim: This report was aimed at determining the possible source, risk factors, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and clinical management of the first recorded case of meningitis in Cameroon caused by Elizabethkingia meningoseptica.
Presentation of case: A 10 months old baby previously diagnosed with otitis media was admitted at the Buea regional hospital on the 21st of October 2023 after a referral following unsuccessful treatment. Upon admission, the baby had persistent fever, catarrh (evidence of an upper respiratory tract infection) and abdominal discomfort. Patient developed decreased body movement, altered consciousness and neck stiffness even after being placed on ampicillin and cefotaxime for two days. Based on cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the patient was considered a probable meningitis case and put on ceftriaxone to no avail. CSF culture later revealed the presence of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica susceptible to ciprofloxacin and resistant to imipenem, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cotrimoxazole, ampicillin and ceftriaxone. Marked improvement was noticed and the patient was discharged following full recovery after treatment with ciprofloxacin for 21 days. Epidemiological investigations and active case search did not provide any evidence of the Elizabethkingia being acquired in the hospital.
Discussion and conclusion: The Elizabethkingia in this case was most likely community acquired associated with acute otitis media probably linked to a recent upper respiratory tract infection. The isolate was resistant to ceftriaxone and susceptible to ciprofloxacin. In case of meningitis caused by this pathogen, empirical treatment with fluoroquinolones may most likely be an effective option in the absence of antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Uropathogens Associated with Community Acquired Urinary Tracts Infections in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Ndukwu Chidi L.C. , Ndu Ijeoma F. 
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in uropathogens remain an intractable public health concern due to the associated mortality, morbidity and economic and manpower losses worldwide. This retrospective study was aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of the bacterial uropathogens and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the dominant strains.
Methodology: It involved a review of laboratory records of the over 1426 males (38%) and females (62%) of various s age brackets between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022.
Results: Out of 1426 urine culture samples 58.5% were negative cultures while 592 (41.5%) yielded bacterial growths. A total of 403 uropathogens comprising 11 species were obtained. Gram negative bacteria constitute 73.9% of the isolates while gram positive bacteria were 26.1% Escherichia coli (54.7%) was the dominant strains, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (10.3%, Enterococcus faecalis (9.5%), Proteus mirabilis (7.7%, Staphylococcus saprophyticus (5.7%, Streptococcus pneumoniae (3.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 17 (3.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.7%), Enterobacter cloacae (1.1%), Acinetobacter baumannii (0.9%) and Serratia marcescens (0.5%). A cumulative of 50.5% of the strains were resistant to at least on antimicrobial agent. The most resistant uropathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a resistant profile of 64.1%, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (63.7%), Staphylococci (55.7%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (55.2%), Acinetobacter baumannii (51.7%), Proteus mirabilis (51.4%), Escherichia coli (48.0%), Enterobacter cloacae (47.1%), Enterococcus faecalis (46.5%) and Serratia marcescens (43.3%) The least effective antimicrobial agent was nitrofurantoin which resisted by 87.1% strains, the most effective was streptomycin (22.2%).
Conclusion: This study will benefit healthcare practitioners in the empirical choice of antibiotics against UTI; however, the high prevalence of AMR necessitates conduct of urine cultures to identify particular uropathogens appropriate antimicrobials in other to curtail increase in AMR among uropathogens.
Protecting the environment and public health from rare earth mining
Authors: Huang Xiang , Zhang Guochun , Pan An , Chen Fengying , Zheng Chunli 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAs increasing demand for green energy and high‐tech devices grows, so does the rising prospecting of rare earth metals required for their production. Protecting the environment and public health from rare earth element (REE) mining as well as emerging pollutants is urgently required to achieve sustainable development. This study mapped Earth's hidden REE deposits to identify potential contamination hotspots with the aim of preventing its deleterious effects on the environment. We worry that there would be widespread tailing facilities concomitant with serious pollutions, such as the Bayan Obo tailings site, and argue that a tradeoff between the underground REE exploration and environment conservation should be reached as soon as possible.
Persistent artifacts in the NSIDC ice motion data set and their implications for analysis
Authors: Szanyi S. , Lukovich J. V. , Barber D. G. , Haller G. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn this study we evaluate weekly Equal‐Area Scalable Earth Grid (EASE‐Grid) sea ice velocities released by the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC). We identify persistent Eulerian and Lagrangian features that arise solely as an artifact of the method used in the incorporation of buoy data. This, in turn, significantly impacts calculation of sea ice motion gradients, including divergence, convergence, and shear. Our numerical experiments and comparison with observations further demonstrate the impact of these artificial features on climatological assessments, including age‐of‐ice studies. In particular, we find that age‐of‐ice studies using this data set significantly underestimate multiyear ice extent by an average of 0.8 × 106 km2 in the month of March.
A new model for the electron pressure nongyrotropy in the outer electron diffusion region
Authors: Divin A. , Semenov V. , Korovinskiy D. , Markidis S. , Deca J. , Olshevsky V. , Lapenta G. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe present a new model to describe the electron pressure nongyrotropy inside the electron diffusion region (EDR) in an antiparallel magnetic reconnection scenario. A combination of particle‐in‐cell simulations and analytical estimates is used to identify such a component of the electron pressure tensor in the rotated coordinates, which is nearly invariant along the outflow direction between the X line and the electron remagnetization points in the outer EDR. It is shown that the EDR two‐scale structure (inner and outer parts) is formed due to superposition of the nongyrotropic meandering electron population and gyrotropic electron population with large anisotropy parallel to the magnetic field upstream of the EDR. Inside the inner EDR the influence of the pressure anisotropy can largely be ignored. In the outer EDR, a thin electron layer with electron flow speed exceeding the E × B drift velocity is supported by large‐momentum flux produced by the electron pressure anisotropy upstream of the EDR. We find that this fast electron exhaust flow with |Ve×B|>|E| is in fact a constituent part of the EDR, a finding which will steer the interpretation of the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) data.
Correlation analysis between initial preliminary breakdown process, the characteristic of radiation pulse, and the charge structure on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wu Bin , Zhang Guangshu , Wen Jun , Zhang Tong , Li Yajun , Wang Yanhui 
Published: October 2016

AbstractUsing synchronous data from a three‐dimensional lightning VHF radiation source mapping system, broadband electric field changes, and the radiation intensity of lightning on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, we divided the preliminary breakdown process into two processes by subdividing the original definition: an initial preliminary breakdown process and a subsequent preliminary breakdown process. We comparatively analyzed the initial preliminary breakdown process and the initial pulse cluster for different types of lightning in a thunderstorm and studied the correlation between the propagation direction of the initial streamer and the polarity of the initial pulse cluster, as well as the correlation between the propagation path of the initial streamer and the charge structure of the thunderstorm. The statistical analysis shows that the streamer propagation distance of the initial preliminary breakdown process maintained good consistency with the number of the initial pulse clusters generated in the initial preliminary breakdown process. When the initial preliminary breakdown process included multiple pulse clusters, the initial streamer exhibited a discontinuous discharge channel through a stepped development traveling upward or downward. Each step corresponded to a pulse cluster. The amplitude of the radiation and the broad electric field change pulse first increased and then decreased in each pulse cluster. The polarity of the initial pulse cluster was consistent with the propagation direction of the initial streamer in the initial preliminary breakdown process, and the propagation direction of the initial streamer was consistent with the charge structure of the thunderstorms.
Lateral enamel growth in human incisors from Çatalhöyük in Turkey
Authors: Bocaege E. , Humphrey L.T. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectivesWhereas the differences in lateral enamel growth between fossil and modern populations have been well documented in recent years, few studies report on the variability in perikymata counts and distribution between modern human populations. There is a need for information on modern human populations from a wide range of geographical regions and archaeological populations to determine whether existing patterns are representative. The aim of this paper is to document enamel surface microstructures in human teeth from a previously unknown region and time period comprehensively.Materials and methodsPerikymata counts and distribution are assessed in a large sample of relatively unworn permanent incisors from the mid‐Holocene site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey.ResultsAll four incisor types exhibit total perikymata counts that are intermediate between values for modern samples from northern Europe and South Africa. The perikymata distribution followed the modern human pattern of a marked decrease in spacing in the cervical half of the crown.DiscussionThe existence of regional differences in perikymata number and distribution demonstrates the importance of documenting enamel microstructures in a wider range of modern human populations, both geographically and chronologically.
Disturbances and noise: Defining furrow‐form enamel hypoplasia
Authors: Bocaege E. , Hillson S. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObjectivesThe investigation of the record of growth locked in dental enamel provides a unique opportunity to build a comprehensive picture of growth disruption episodes during childhood. This study presents a new methodological basis for the analysis of enamel growth disruptions (enamel hypoplasia) using incremental microstructures of enamel.MethodsA three‐dimensional technique based upon use of an Alicona 3D Infinite Focus imaging microscope and software is used to record developmental features in the enamel of human permanent mandibular lateral incisors of one individual from the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük (Turkey). Using this new technique, perikymata are measured down the longitudinal axis of the crown from the incisal margin to the cervix and perikyma spacing profiles are constructed with this new technique. A mathematical basis for the detection of spacing anomalies, which serve as indicators of enamel hypoplasia is presented based upon these profiles.ResultsThree clearly delineated defects were identified visually, then matched and confirmed metrically using the enamel surface and perikyma spacing profiles.DiscussionHuman growth has often been used as an indicator of health in past societies because of developmental sensitivity to fluctuations in nutritional status and disease load. Hence, standardization of furrow‐form defect identification is of crucial importance for reducing the amount of current subjectivity in the determination of a threshold for the identification of defects among individuals of past populations. The method presented here, which is based on microscopic images of the tooth crown as well as recorded measurements of incremental structures, represents a combined visual‐metric approach using LOWESS residuals, and as such provides a substantial advancement to previous methods. It is therefore recommended that additional studies be carried out with this methodology to determine whether this method improves the reliability of enamel defect identification among individuals recovered from bioarchaeological contexts.
Allergy and asthma medication use in home‐dwelling U.S. older adults
Authors: Ajmani Gaurav S. , Wroblewski Kristen E. , Baroody Fuad M. , Naclerio Robert M. , Pinto Jayant M. 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundLittle is known about the use of allergy and asthma medications in older adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of use of these medications in older adults and evaluate predictors of their use.MethodsCross‐sectional study using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), a nationally representative sample of community‐dwelling, U.S. adults 57 to 85 years (n = 2976) collected in 2005–2006. We determined prevalence of medication use and used logistic regression to evaluate sociodemographic and health factors associated with their use.ResultsOverall prevalence of allergy medication usage was 8.4% (most commonly antihistamines), and prevalence of asthma medication usage was 8.0% (most commonly bronchodilators). Allergy medication use was significantly associated with history of asthma (odds ratio [OR] 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52 to 3.69), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.58 to 3.51), or nasal surgery (OR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.86). Older age was associated with decreased allergy medication use (per decade, OR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.98). Although increased education was associated with increased overall allergy medication use, it was associated with decreased use of allergy medications generally contraindicated in the elderly. In contrast, the only significant predictors of asthma medication use were history of asthma (OR 19.66; 95% CI, 3.18 to 121.70) or COPD (OR 4.25; 95% CI, 0.88 to 20.44).ConclusionAllergy and asthma medication use is prevalent among older adults and driven mostly by history of asthma or COPD. Additional sociodemographic factors predict allergy (but not asthma) medication use. Further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of these drugs in the elderly.
Mimicking the Aromatic‐Ring‐Cleavage Activity of Gentisate‐1,2‐Dioxygenase by a Nonheme Iron Complex
Authors: Rahaman Rubina , Chakraborty Biswarup , Paine Tapan Kanti 
Published: October 2016

AbstractGentisate‐1,2‐dioxygenase (GDO), a nonheme iron enzyme in the cupin superfamily, catalyzes the cleavage of the aromatic‐ring of 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid) to form maleylpyruvic acid in the microbial aerobic degradation of aromatic compounds. To develop a functional model of GDO, we have isolated a nonheme iron(II) complex, [(TpPh2)FeII(DHN‐H)] (TpPh2=hydrotris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazole‐1‐yl)borate, DHN‐H=1,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐naphthoate). In the reaction with O2, the biomimetic complex oxidatively cleaves the aromatic ring of the coordinated substrate with the incorporation of both the oxygen atoms from molecular oxygen into the cleavage product. The presence of para‐hydroxy group on the substrate plays a crucial role in directing the aromatic‐ring cleaving reaction.
Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur energetischen Sanierung von Fachwerkwänden mit Aerogeldämmputz als Innendämmung
Authors: Stahl Thomas , Ghazi Wakili Karim , Vonbank Roger , Brunner Samuel 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDie energetische Sanierung von Fachwerkwänden unter Beibehaltung des äußeren Erscheinungsbildes kann durch eine Innendämmung realisiert werden. Dabei sind die zeitabhängigen Temperatur‐ und Feuchteverteilungen sowie die hygro‐thermischen Eigenschaften der verwendeten Materialien von zentraler Bedeutung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird der Einsatz des seit 2013 auf dem Schweizer Markt erhältlichen Aerogeldämmputzes Fixit 222 sowohl als Gefachfüllung als auch als Innendämmung über eine Dauer von 19 Monaten unter realen Wetterbedingungen experimentell untersucht. Dabei wird aufgezeigt, dass der Dampfdurchlässigkeit und der Wasseraufnahmefähigkeit des Dämmsystems eine zentrale Rolle bei der Vermeidung von Feuchteansammlungen zukommt. Dieser Sachverhalt wird zusätzlich durch die Verwendung eines wasserabweisenden und diffusionsdichteren Klebespachtels und der daraus folgenden Konsequenzen noch mehr verdeutlicht.Comparative investigation of energetic refurbishment of half‐timbered walls using aerogel based plaster as internal insulation. The energetic refurbishment of half‐timbered walls keeping the external appearance unchanged can be realised by using internal insulations. The transient temperature and moisture distribution as well as the hygro‐thermal properties of the used materials are hereby of central importance. The present contribution deals with the application of the Fixit222 aerogel based plaster present on the Swiss market since 2013 as infill and interior insulation material using measured data under real climatic conditions over a period of 19 months. It is shown that the vapour permeability and the water uptake of the insulating system play a major role in avoiding moisture accumulation. This issue is emphasized by the usage of a water repelling and diffusion tighter adhesive mortar and the resulting consequences hereof.
Einfluss von Gebäudeart und Außenwandkonstruktion auf die Größe des detaillierten Wärmebrückenzuschlags
Authors: Schulze Phillip , Grethe Wiebke , Schäfers Martin 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDurch die aktuelle Entwicklung hin zu immer energieeffizienteren Gebäuden erhalten Wärmebrücken eine stetig größer werdende Bedeutung. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird im folgenden Bericht der Einfluss verschiedener Parameter, wie z. B. das Wärmeschutzniveau oder die Konstruktionsart der Außenwand, auf den Wärmebrückenzuschlag ΔUWB systematisch untersucht. Dabei wird zuerst kurz auf die Vorgehensweise der Berechnung für den detaillierten Wärmebrückenzuschlag eingegangen. Nachfolgend werden die untersuchten Parameter erläutert und hinsichtlich ihrer Auswirkung auf den Wärmebrückenzuschlag ausgewertet. Hierfür werden die wärmebrückenbedingten Verluste von zwölf realen Wohngebäuden unterschiedlicher Größe – vom Einfamilienbungalow bis hin zum Geschosswohnungsbau mit 23 Wohneinheiten – berechnet. Bei dieser Betrachtung zeigt sich, dass eine detaillierte Berechnung der Verluste durch Wärmebrücken, in Abhängigkeit vom Gebäudetyp, in der Regel lohnenswert ist. Mit einer detaillierten Berechnung des Zuschlages für Wärmebrücken lassen sich die bisher pauschal anzusetzenden Werte teils sehr deutlich unterschreiten. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse zeigen auch, dass die Einführung einer neuen Qualitätsstufe im Beiblatt 2 der DIN 4108 ein richtiger Schritt ist und der dort diskutierte niedrigere Wert des pauschal anzusetzenden Wärmebrückenzuschlags von ΔUWB plausibel erscheint.Influence of building type and construction of the exterior walls to the dimension of the detailed calculated thermal bridge addition. The current development to energy efficient buildings leads to an increasing relevance of thermal bridges. Thus in this report the effect of different parameters as thermal insulation level and construction type of the external walls to the thermal bridge addition ΔUWB are researched. At first there is a short introduction of the procedure for calculating the detailed thermal bridge addition. The next steps are comments and reports referring to the researched parameters. Therefore the energy loss through the thermal bridges of twelve real buildings – from a one family bungalow to an apartment house – is calculated. The outcome of this is that a detailed calculation of thermal bridge addition is generally worthwhile, depending on the building type. It is possible to get lower additions than the standard procedure prescribes with the detailed calculation. The findings of the investigation show that the introduction of a new quality level in the supplement 2 of the DIN 4108 is a reasonable step and the discussed reduction of the thermal bridge correction ΔUWB seems to be plausible.