bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artisanal mining of monazite and cassiterite in the Amazon: Potential risks of rare earth elements for the environment and human health
Authors: Filho PEDRO PAULO DA COSTA Alves , Pereira Wendel Valter Silveira , Dias Yan Nunes , Moraes Adriele Laena Ferreira , Rodrigues Flavio Henrique Santos , Ramos Sílvio Junio , Souza Edna Santos , Amaral Anna Maria Fontes , Fernandes Antonio Rodrigues 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

A artisanal mining is applied on a large scale in developing countries, and in the Amazon region, the scenario is no different. This method of mineral exploration generally does not employ mitigation techniques for potential damages and can lead to various environmental problems and risks to human health. The objectives of this study were to quantify the concentrations of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and estimate the environmental and human health risks in artisanal mining areas for cassiterite and monazite in the Amazon region, as well as to understand the dynamics of this risk over time after exploitation. A total of 32 samples of waste classified as sterile and mining reject in active areas, as well as in areas deactivated for one and ten years, were collected. Soil samples were also collected in a forest area considered as a reference site. The concentrations of REEs were quantified using alkaline fusion and ICP-MS. The results were used to calculate pollution indices and environmental and human health risks. REEs showed higher concentrations in anthropized areas. Pollution and environmental risk levels were higher in areas deactivated for one year, with considerable contamination factors for Gd and Sm and significant to extreme enrichment factors for Sc. Human health risks were low in all studied areas. The results indicate that artisanal mining of cassiterite and monazite has the potential for contamination and enrichment by REEs.
Nonlinear Coupled Motions of a Pipe-in-Pipe System Experiencing Vortex-Induced Vibrations
Authors: Hou Xiangyu , Liu Xianbo , Long Xinhua , Meng Guang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

This paper delves into the dynamics of the pipe-in-pipe system, crucial in offshore oil and gas exploration, featuring an inner drill string nestled within an outer riser. A reduced-order model with five degrees of freedom is proposed to capture the coupled dynamics of this system. Here, the inner drill string is depicted as a torsional-lateral coupled rotor constrained by the outer riser. In contrast, the outer riser is modeled as a suspended stator subjected to vortex-induced excitations and contact forces. The model incorporates nonlinearities, including dry frictions, collisions, loss of contact, and nonlinear damping through the van der Pol wake oscillator. This comprehensive model allows an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of the coupled pipe-in-pipe system. Parametric analysis is conducted based on the non-dimensional numerical model, revealing a novel and stable whirling phenomenon termed "follower whirling" at low rotary speeds of the drill string. During this stable follower whirling, the riser's vortex-induced vibration traces an "8"-shaped trajectory, while the drill string follows suit, oscillating between forward- and backward-whirling, forming a "C"-shaped trajectory relative to the riser. Additionally, within the frequency lock-in region of the vortex-induced vibration, frequency analysis indicates induced nonlinear resonances through the continuous contact whirling of the drill string, showcasing a strong coupling between the drill string and the riser. In contrast, within the non-lock-in region, the system dynamics are primarily dominated by the backward whirling of the drill string. Furthermore, the parametric study reveals that the backward whirling of the drill string can significantly reduce both the cross-flow and the in-line vortex-induced vibration of the riser. However, as a side-effect, it introduces higher-frequency vibrations and potential fatigue damage to the inner drill string. This research lays a foundation for comprehending the coupled dynamics of pipe-in-pipe systems in offshore drilling applications.
Whole exome sequencing as the first-tier test for patients in neonatal intensive care unit: A Chinese single-center study
Authors: Zhang Ruiping , Cui Xiaoyu , Zhang Yan , Ma Huiqing , Gao Jing , Zhang Ying , Shu Jianbo , Cai Chunquan , Liu Yang 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background: Genetic disorders are the part of critical patients in neonatal intensive care unit, it is difficult to establish the diagnosis of pathogenesis via rountine detections and accessory examination. Whole exome sequencing may provide the evidence based on molecular diagnose for genetic disorders. Our aim was to explore the significance of whole exome sequencing for patients in neonatal intensive care unit by the retrospective observational study in a Chinese cohort of neonates.
Methods: The neonatal patients were collected in Tianjin Children’s Hospital from January 2018 to April 2021, who had an acute illness and were suspected with genetic disorders performed by whole exome sequencing. We analysed retrospectively the clinical data, genetic findings, and the relationship between phenotype and genetic variation in this study.
Results: A total of 121 neonates were enrolled in this study. Multiple organ or system were involved in the current study, mainly in metabolic, neurologic, endocrine system. The overall positive rate of whole exome sequencing was 55.4% (67/121), 94 pathogenic or likely pathogenic genomic variants of were identified in 67 neonates, of which the number of copy number varation and single-nucleotide variant were 20 and 74 respectively. The most common inheritance pattern of them was autosomal recessive, up to the rate of 56.7% (38/67), the second one was autosomal dominant inheritance, accounting for 29.8% (19/67). Up to 40 diseases were diagnosed via whole exome sequencing in this study.
Conclusion: Based on the study and the available evidence of this cohort , we strongly recommend and support whole exome sequencing as the first-tier test for patients with suspected genetic disorders in neonatal intensive care unit. Whole exome sequencing demonstrates clinical utility and the significance for patients and their familes in situation of the absence of dignosis.
Sequencing-guided re-estimation and promotion of cultivability for environmental bacteria
Authors: Guo Feng , Zheng Minjia , Wen Linran , He Cailing , Chen Xinlan , Si Laiting , Li Hao , Liang Yiting , Zheng Wei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The low cultivability of environmental bacteria has been widely acknowledged, but previous estimates focused on the proportion of cultivable cells (PCC) rather than cultivable taxa (PCT). Here we determined PCT through sequencing to profile bacterial taxa and genomes of the inoculum and culturomic agar plates for two types of environmental samples (soil and activated sludge). Results reveal that PCTs at the culturomics-level significantly exceed PCCs. Both amplicons and metagenomes indicate the presence of a large proportion of novel taxa in culturomics, albeit mostly at low relative abundances, consistently linked to the prevalence of microcolonies on plates. The distribution of novel taxa in culturomics guided the isolation of a strain representing a yet-uncultured class in the Bacteroidota. More importantly, with the definition of cultivable/uncultivable phenotype among environmental bacteria, we detected that cultivable taxa exhibit higher metabolic activity, under both in-situ conditions and laboratory treatment, as assessed by cellular rRNA content. Linking uncultivable phenotypes to genomic features facilitated the modification of culture media, and successfully enhanced the cultivable diversity of Burkholderiales from activated sludge samples. In conclusion, our study provides an experimental approach to reassess the cultivability of environmental bacteria and offers a promising path to optimize microbial cultivation.
Results from a retrospective case finding and re-engagement exercise for people previously diagnosed with hepatitis C virus to increase uptake of directly acting antiviral treatment
Authors: Etoori David , Simmons Ruth , Desai Monica , Foster Graham R , Stuart Avelie , Sabin Caroline , Mandal Sema , Rosenberg William 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have shifted the World Health Organisation global strategic focus to the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. In England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) led a national ‘patient re-engagement exercise’, using routine surveillance data, which was delivered through the HCV Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) with support from NHSE, to help find and support people previously diagnosed to access treatment. We report a quantitative evaluation of outcomes of this exercise.
Methods
Individuals with a recorded diagnosis of HCV (antibody or RNA) between 1996 and 2017 were identified using UKHSA’s records of HCV laboratory diagnosis. Linkage with established health-care datasets helped to enhance patient identification and minimise attempts to contact deceased or previously treated individuals. In September-November 2018 each ODN was provided with a local list of diagnosed individuals, asked to perform further data quality checks through local systems and then write to each individual’s GP to inform them that the individual would be contacted by the ODN to offer confirmatory HCV RNA testing, assessment and treatment unless the GP advised otherwise. ODNs then contacted patients and data were collected in 2022.
Results
Of 176,555 individuals with an HCV laboratory report, 55,329 individuals were included in the exercise following linkage to healthcare datasets and data reconciliation. Participants in the study had a median age of 51 years (IQR: 43, 59), 36,779 (65.5%) were males, 47,668 (86.2%) were diagnosed before 2016 and 11,148 (20.2%) lived in London. Of the study population, 7,442 (13.4%) had evidence of treatment after the re-engagement exercise commenced, 6,435 (11.6%) were reported as RNA negative (96% of whom had no previous treatment records), 4,195 (7.6%) had prescription data indicating treatment before the exercise commenced or were reported to have been treated previously by their ODN, and 2,990 (5.4%) had died. The status of 32,802 (59.3%) people remains unknown.
Conclusions
A substantial number of those included had a treatment recorded after the exercise commenced, however, many more remain unengaged. Evaluation of the exercise highlighted areas that could be streamlined to improve future exercises.
Future Population Exposure to Flood Risk: A Decomposition Approach across Shared-Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)
Authors: Shu Evelyn , Hauer Mathew , Porter Jeremy 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Extreme weather events, such as flooding, are expected to become more severe due to climate change. These impacts are connected to impacts on human systems including economic, social, and political crises. Adding to the challenge, populations have concurrently settled in risky areas that were previously thought to have low, or no, exposure. As such, it is important to understand how population exposure to flooding may change over time. Here, we build on existing research to project future populations with their demographic components under all five Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) at the block group level across the US. These projections are evaluated with future flood projections to characterize exposure changes over time. Broadly, across the five SSPs, the most increase in exposure will occur in SSP5 (+470,719), and the least will occur in SSP 3 (+57,189). Across all five SSPs, we find that there will be significant increases in expected annual exposure for populations 80 years and older, with an increase in exposure by approximately 216% under SSP5. By decomposing the contributions from flood and population growth, we find that the population growth induced effect contributed to an increase in the population exposure for all of the SSPs except for SSP3. In SSP5, this effect was the largest (+72.7% more exposure), while in SSP3, the population effect decreased the overall exposure by 83.5%.
The Shifting Landscape of Cybersecurity: The Impact of Remote Work and COVID-19 on Data Breach Trends
Authors: Ozer Murat , Kose Yasin , Bastug Mehmet Fatih , Kucukkaya Goksel 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cybersecurity and data breaches, with a specific focus on the shift toward remote work. The study identifies trends and offers insights into cybersecurity incidents by analyzing data breaches two years before and two years after the start of remote work. Data was collected from the Montana Department of Justice Data Breach database and consisted of data breaches that occurred between April 2018 and April 2022. The findings inform best practices for cybersecurity preparedness in remote work environments, aiding organizations to enhance their defenses. Although the study's data is limited to Montana, it offers valuable insights for cybersecurity professionals worldwide. As remote work continues to evolve, organizations must remain adaptable and vigilant in their cybersecurity strategies.
Forerunners vs. Latecomers - Institutional Competition in the German Federalism during the COVID Crisis
Authors: Breide Lukas , Budzinski Oliver , Grebel Thomas , Mendelsohn Juliane 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The COVID pandemic caused the political competition between the prime ministers of the German states to reach its peak. Whoever is the best at announcing, launching, or implementing policies to combat the pandemic can hope to capitalize most politically. In this paper, we attempt to document which state leaders are forerunners or latecomers in this political competition, when going more into depth of a region's contextual factors. Based on several databases, we perform a survival analysis to compare state leaders' relative determination to implement COVID policies. As our results show, the forerunners in the political discourse are not necessarily forerunners in the implementation, nor in the enforcement of COVID policies.
JEL Classification: D7 , H7 , H11 , H12 , R5
Effectiveness and pregnancy outcomes of ultrasound-indicated and physical examination-indicated cervical cerclage: A retrospective study from a single centre
Authors: Huang Linxiang , Wang Wenting , Wang Yuchuan , Chen Jie , Jin Shuping , Qi Xiaoxuan , Qian Yujia , Cheng Qing 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective: The objective was to investigate and compare the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of patients who underwent ultrasound- and physical examination-indicatedcervical cerclage and to explore the influencing factors of preterm delivery before 34 weeks.
Methods:The sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data of patients with a diagnosis of cervical incompetence who underwent ultrasound- and physical examination-indicated transvaginal cervical cerclage at Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of the patients were evaluated.
Results: This study included 141 participants who underwent cervical cerclage, including 71 with ultrasound-indicated cerclage and 70 with physical examination-indicated cerclage. Compared to the ultrasound-indicated cerclage group, in the physical examination-indicated cerclage group, the duration from cerclage to delivery, birth weight, and APGAR score were significantly lower, and the rates of delivery at <28 weeks, <32 weeks, <34 weeks, and <37 weeks of gestation and neonatal mortality were significantly higher (all P<0.05). Compared to the physical ultrasound-indicated cerclage group, in the physical examination-indicated cerclage group, maternal blood inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, the systemic immune-inflammation index and the systemic inflammation response index were significantly higher (P <0.05). Additionally, maternal blood inflammatory markers, such as the C-reactive protein level, white blood cell count, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, the systemic immune-inflammation index, and the systemic inflammation response index were significantly higher in the group with delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that twin pregnancy had the highest OR for preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (OR=3.829; 95% CI 1.413-10.373; P=0.008), as well as the following: the SII level (OR = 1.001; 95% CI 1.000-1.002; P=0.003) and C-reactive protein level (OR =1.083; 95% CI 1.038-1.131; P=0.022). The risk factors for preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation are twin gestation, an increased SII level and an increased C-reactive protein level, which have good combined predictive value.
Conclusion: In patients with cervical insufficiency, ultrasound-indicated cervical cerclage appears to lead to better pregnancy outcomes than physical examination-indicated cerclage. Twin pregnancy and maternal blood inflammatory markers, such as the CRP level and the SII, are associated with premature delivery before 34 weeks of gestation.
Nutrition and fluid management at 1 week postnatally and the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Jiayi , Mei Hua , Huo Mengyue , Zhang Yuheng , Zhang Yanbo , Xin Chun 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To explore the intricate interplay between nutritional status, fluid management in the early postnatal phase of preterm infants, and the susceptibility to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
METHODS
A meticulous review encompassing PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Database, and Wipu Database was conducted. The search spanned up to October 7, 2023, focusing on case-control and cohort studies delving into the nexus of nutritional management and BPD. Meta-analysis, employing RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software, was carried out to synthesize the findings.
RESULTS
Incorporating 10 studies with a total of 1325 subjects (644 with BPD and 681 normal control), our meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in calorie intake during the 1st week postnatally in the BPD group compared to the non-BPD group (MD = -5.94, 95% CI: -7.38 to -4.51, P < 0.05). Although fluid loading in both groups exhibited no statistical significance (MD = 5.83, 95% CI: -1.37-13.03, P = 0.11 > 0.05), macronutrient disparities were evident in the BPD group. Protein (MD = -0.13, 95% CI: -0.22 to -0.04, P < 0.05), lipids (MD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.49 to -0.299,, P < 0.05), and carbohydrates (MD = -0.74, 95% CI: -0.95 to -0.54, P < 0.05) in the BPD group exhibited significantly lower intake during the initial postnatal week. Moreover, the BPD group experienced a prolonged time to achieve complete enteral nutrition compared to the non-BPD group (MD = 9.71, 95% CI: 7.78–11.63, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Insufficient early nutritional intake may correlate with heightened BPD risk. Vigilant attention to nutritional and fluid management, coupled with optimization of respiratory support protocols, is imperative to mitigate BPD incidence.
Path analysis reveals intercultural differences between Czech and Chinese university students in technology addiction, mental health, and personality traits on academic achievement
Authors: Kvintova Jana , Novotny Jan Sebastian , Liu Hongyang , Vachova Lucie , Kantor Jiri 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

There is growing evidence on the impact of technology addiction on different aspects of college / university students´ life; however, its relationship towards academic achievement has been understudied so far. Following a prolonged period of pandemic restrictions and online study, there is a need to explore how academic achievement was impacted and mediated by different health-related and psychological factors. The aim of this intercultural study was to find out how smartphone / internet addiction, mental health (depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience), and personality traits interact to affect individual aspects of academic achievement of Czech and Chinese college / university students. Data from an online survey that included a number of tests were analyzed using a path analysis. Academic achievement correlated positively with technology addiction in Chinese students, compared to the opposite trend in the Czech sample. Except for the common influences of gender, extroversion, conscientiousness, and stress, there were factors specific to the Chinese sample (agreeableness, anxiety), as well as for Czech students (resilience). Also, the level of explained variance in internet addiction and academic achievement differed in both samples. Future studies may better explore and explain the potentially positive role of technology addiction that is probably specific for many Chinese students in tertiary education.
Decentralized pilot-scale biofilm-based system integrated with microbial electrolysis cell for household wastewater treatment: Enhanced pollutant removal and hydrogen production
Authors: Estrada-Arriaga Edson Baltazar , Montero-Farías Raúl , Morales-Morales Cornelio , García-Sánchez Liliana , Falcón-Rojas Axel , Garzón-Zúñiga Marco A. , Gutierrez-Macias Tania 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The septic tank is the most commonly used decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) for household wastewater treatment in on-site applications. However, the removal rate of various pollutans is lower. The integration of a microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) into biofilm-based system can be a green and sustainable DEWATS technology for enhanced household wastewater treatment. In this study, a 50-L septic tank was converted into a 50-L biofilm-based system coupled with MEC for household wastewater treatment and hydrogen production. The maximum pollutant removal rate was achieved with an HRT of 1.5 d and an applied voltage of 1.0 V. Global COD removal ranged from 79 to 84%, and for TN, removal rates ranged from 45 to 71%. Concentrations of COD, BOD, NH4+, TN, TP, and TSS in the final effluent were all below 66, 30, 3, 19, 8.5, and 72 mg/L, respectively. The current density generated in the MEC (0.21–0.41 A/m2) contributed to hydrogen production and pollutan removals. The maximum volumetric hydrogen production rate in the MEC was 0.007 L/L.d. The integration of the MEC into biofilm-based system generate anodic and cathodic reactions, allowing different bioelectrochemical nitrogen and phosphorus transformations within the system, generating a simultaneous denitrification-nitrification process with phosphorus removal, allowing to increase the removal of the pollutans. The novel filter module and biocarriers developed in this work were successful permitting high biofilm-based reactors performance during household wastewater treatment.