bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of ultrasound and its real‐time monitoring of the acoustic field during processing of tofu: Parameter optimization, protein modification, and potential mechanism
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Lei , Chen Li , Wang Yang , Okonkwo Clinton Emeka , Yagoub Abu El‐Gasim A. , Wahia Hafida , Zhou Cunshan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTofu is nutritious, easy to make, and popular among consumers. At present, traditional tofu production has gradually become perfect, but there are still shortcomings, such as long soaking time, serious waste of water resources, and the inability to realize orders for production at any time. Moreover, tofu production standards have not yet been clearly defined, with large differences in quality between them, which is not conducive to industrialized and large‐scale production. Ultrasound has become a promising green processing technology with advantages, such as high extraction rate, short processing time, and ease of operation. This review focused on the challenges associated with traditional tofu production during soaking, grinding, and boiling soybeans. Moreover, the advantages of ultrasonic processing over traditional processing like increasing nutrient content, improving gel properties, and inhibiting the activity of microorganisms were explained. Furthermore, the quantification of acoustic fields by real‐time monitoring technology was introduced to construct the theoretical correlation between ultrasonic treatments and tofu processing. It was concluded that ultrasonic treatment improved the functional properties of soybean protein, such as solubility, emulsifying properties, foamability, rheological properties, gel strength, and thermal stability. Therefore, the application of ultrasonic technology to traditional tofu processing to optimize industrial parameters is promising.
Detection methods, migration patterns, and health effects of pesticide residues in tea
Authors: Miao Siwei , Wei Yang , Pan Yi , Wang Yuanfeng , Wei Xinlin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDue to its rich health benefits and unique cultural charm, tea drinking is increasingly popular with the public in modern society. The safety of tea is the top priority that affects the development of tea industry and the health of consumers. During the process of tea growth, pesticides are used to prevent the invasion of pests and diseases with maintaining high quality and stable yield. Because hot water brewing is the traditional way of tea consumption, water is the main carrier for pesticide residues in tea into human body accompanied by potential risks. In this review, pesticides used in tea gardens are divided into two categories according to their solubility, among which water‐soluble pesticides pose a greater risk. We summarized the methods of the sample pretreatment and detection of pesticide residues and expounded the migration patterns and influencing factors of tea throughout the process of growth, processing, storage, and consumption. Moreover, the toxicity and safety of pesticide residues and diseases caused by human intake were analyzed. The risk assessment and traceability of pesticide residues in tea were carried out, and potential eco‐friendly improvement strategies were proposed. The review is expected to provide a valuable reference for reducing risks of pesticide residues in tea and ensuring the safety of tea consumption.
Detection of methamphetamine in mouse femurs exposed to high temperature
Authors: Nakao Ken‐ichiro , Kibayashi Kazuhiko 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBone samples are valuable for examining the cause of death and circumstance leading up to death when body fluids are not available for forensic toxicological analysis. Examined were heat‐induced changes in methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in femurs removed from methamphetamine‐injected mice to determine if the burned bones could be used for toxicology testing. The femurs were heated at 100°C, 300°C, or 500°C for 10 or 30 min. The tissue structure of the heated femurs was preserved at 100°C for 30 min but was destructed at higher temperatures. Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detected in femurs heated at 100°C for 10 min, 100°C for 30 min, and 300°C for 10 min (with methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 35 μg/g and 0.54 to 47 μg/g, respectively). Methamphetamine and amphetamine were detectable when heated above their decomposition temperature as a result of limited heat transfer do to protection provide by the femoral muscle. Thus, the bone could be a useful analytical sample in cases of burn‐related deaths, where it is difficult to collect body fluids.
2,4,6‐Tri(2′‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine for determination of iron(II), Iron(III), and total iron contents on human palms
Authors: Wang Liting , Wang Yang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWhen iron‐based tools, such as knives or guns, are held, traces of iron can transfer to the skin. However, no previous studies have been published regarding the effect of the elapsed contact time on the transfer of iron species with different valences to the palm. Compared with 3‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDT), 2,4,6‐tri(2′‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TPTZ) was found to exhibit a higher sensitivity to iron(II) spectrophotometrically. This work employed 2,4,6‐tri(2′‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (TPTZ) and UV spectrophotometry to determine the amounts of iron(II), iron(III), and total iron transferred to human palms from iron tools. It was found that the palmar moisture level was an important factor in determining the amounts of total iron, including iron(II), transferred to the palm. For identical contact times, the amounts of total iron transferred to the palm was proportional to the palmar moisture, and the difference between the maximum and minimum amounts was 12 μg per hand. However, the amounts of iron(II) transferred to the palm gradually decreased over time for low palmar moisture levels, but steadily increased over time for high palmar moisture levels. Additionally, for average levels of palm moisture, the amounts of iron(II) and iron(III) transferred to the palm gradually decreased and increased, respectively, with longer contact times. Notably, this research could serve as a theoretical basis and guide for the detection of trace iron species with different valences on human palms for criminal investigations.
Detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in fabric urine stains older than five years
Authors: Minamiyama Takumi , Kawamoto Masataka , Matsunari Ryota , Ting Deng , Ikegaya Hiroshi 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHuman chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is used in clinical medicine as a particularly important indicator to determine pregnancy. In this study, it was necessary to determine whether the urine spots on car seat fabric from a murder 5 years previously were from a pregnant woman. The HCG in the dried urine spot on a car seat was detected using an immunochromatography kit. It was found that the HCG in urine can be detected for much longer periods of time than the previously reported period of approximately 6 months.
Development and validation of a multivariable risk prediction model for identifying ketosis‐prone type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zheng Jia , Shen Shiyi , Xu Hanwen , Zhao Yu , Hu Ye , Xing Yubo , Song Yingxiang , Wu Xiaohong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundTo develop and validate a multivariable risk prediction model for ketosis‐prone type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on clinical characteristics.MethodsA total of 964 participants newly diagnosed with T2DM were enrolled in the modeling and validation cohort. Baseline clinical data were collected and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to select independent risk factors, develop the prediction model, and construct the nomogram. The model's reliability and validity were checked using the receiver operating characteristic curve and the calibration curve.ResultsA high morbidity of ketosis‐prone T2DM was observed (20.2%), who presented as lower age and fasting C‐peptide, and higher free fatty acids, glycated hemoglobin A1c and urinary protein. Based on these five independent influence factors, we developed a risk prediction model for ketosis‐prone T2DM and constructed the nomogram. Areas under the curve of the modeling and validation cohorts were 0.806 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.760–0.851) and 0.856 (95% CI: 0.803–0.908). The calibration curves that were both internally and externally checked indicated that the projected results were reasonably close to the actual values.ConclusionsOur study provided an effective clinical risk prediction model for ketosis‐prone T2DM, which could help for precise classification and management.
Prompt closure versus gradual weaning of external ventricular drainage for hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: Protocol for the DRAIN randomised clinical trial
Authors: Capion Tenna , Lilja‐Cyron Alexander , Olsen Markus Harboe , Juhler Marianne , Møller Kirsten , Sorteberg Angelika , Rønning Pål André , Poulsen Frantz Rom , Wismann Joakim , Ravlo Celina , Isaksen Jørgen , Lindschou Jane , Gluud Christian , Mathiesen Tiit 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundAneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is a life‐threatening disease caused by rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. A common complication following aSAH is hydrocephalus, for which placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) is an important first‐line treatment. Once the patient is clinically stable, the EVD is either removed or replaced by a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The optimal strategy for cessation of EVD treatment is, however, unknown. Gradual weaning may increase the risk of EVD‐related infection, whereas prompt closure carries a risk of acute hydrocephalus and redundant shunt implantations. We designed a randomised clinical trial comparing the two commonly used strategies for cessation of EVD treatment in patients with aSAH.MethodsDRAIN is an international multi‐centre randomised clinical trial with a parallel group design comparing gradual weaning versus prompt closure of EVD treatment in patients with aSAH. Participants are randomised to either gradual weaning which comprises a multi‐step increase of resistance over days, or prompt closure of the EVD. The primary outcome is a composite outcome of VP‐shunt implantation, all‐cause mortality, or ventriculostomy‐related infection. Secondary outcomes are serious adverse events excluding mortality, functional outcome (modified Rankin scale), health‐related quality of life (EQ‐5D) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Outcome assessment will be performed 6 months after ictus. Based on the sample size calculation (event proportion 80% in the gradual weaning group, relative risk reduction 20%, type I error 5%, power 80%), 122 patients are needed in each intervention group. Outcome assessment for the primary outcome, statistical analyses and conclusion drawing will be blinded.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03948256.
Institutional investors' corporate site visits and firm management earnings forecasts
Authors: Gao Kaijuan , Wang Manya , Zhang Renyun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractInstitutional investors' site visits may reduce investors' demand for information, resulting in managers' reluctance to disclose earnings forecasts and exacerbating information asymmetry in the capital market. However, institutional investors may also monitor management through site visits, which increases voluntary management earnings forecasts disclosure and thus reduces information asymmetry. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2012 to 2018, we find that firm management is more likely to voluntarily disclose earnings forecasts after the institutional investors' site visits. Specifically, increasing from the 25th to the 75th percentile of institutional site visits is associated with an increase in the odds of voluntary management earnings forecasts by 24%. We use instrumental variables and Heckman two‐step method to address the endogeneity problems and report similar findings. Additional tests show that the governance effect is amplified among firms with severe type I and type II agency problems or firms with no need for refinancing and alleviating stock price synchronicity. Furthermore, we find that voluntary earnings forecasts are more accurate and more precise after site visits, which means institutional investors' site visits in fact improve the quality of management earnings forecasts. Our findings complement the institutional investors' governance effects on earnings forecasts from the perspective of information acquisition.
Laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation by increasing IL‐33 expression and activating ILC2s
Authors: Saito Kyoko , Orimo Keisuke , Kubo Terufumi , Tamari Masato , Yamada Ayako , Motomura Kenichiro , Sugiyama Hiroki , Matsuoka Ryo , Nagano Naoko , Hayashi Yuka , Arae Ken , Hara Mariko , Ikutani Masashi , Fukuie Tatsuki , Sudo Katsuko , Matsuda Akio , Ohya Yukihiro , Fujieda Shigeharu , Saito Hirohisa , Nakae Susumu , Matsumoto Kenji , Akdis Cezmi A. , Morita Hideaki 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionEpidemiological studies demonstrated that cleaning work and frequent use of cleaning products are risk factors for asthma. Laundry detergents have been reported to have epithelial barrier‐opening effects. However, whether laundry detergents directly induce airway inflammation and its mechanisms in vivo remain to be elucidated.MethodsTwo commercial laundry detergents and two commonly used surfactants for cleaning and cosmetics (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate) were intranasally administered to mice. Lungs were analyzed using flow cytometry, histology, ELISA, and quantitative PCR. Human bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with laundry detergents and analyzed using quantitative PCR and western blotting. Involvement of oxidative stress was assessed using an antioxidant. Dust samples from homes were analyzed to determine their detergent content by measuring their critical micelle concentration (CMC).ResultsThe administered laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation accompanied by increased IL‐33 expression and activation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). Detergent‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation was significantly attenuated in Rag2−/−Il2rg−/−, Il33−/− mice, and also in wild‐type mice treated with NAC. Detergent‐induced IL‐33 expression in airways was attenuated by NAC treatment, both in vivo and in vitro. CMCs were found in all of the tested dust extracts, and they differed significantly among the homes.ConclusionThe laundry detergents and surfactants‐induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in vivo through epithelial cell and ILC2 activation. They induced IL‐33 expression in airway epithelial cells through oxidative stress. Furthermore, detergent residues were present in house dust and are presumably inhaled into the airway in daily life.
Oral prednisone regulates human skin T cells in delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction elicited by diphencyprone
Authors: Mehta Heena , Jack Carolyn , Maari Catherine , Proulx Étienne Saint‐Cyr , Bissonnette Robert , Ramirez‐Valle Francisco , Sarfati Marika 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe potential benefit of inducing delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in healthy volunteers (HVs) as experimental models to study skin inflammatory disorders was recently reported using bulk molecular technologies. Immunophenotype of skin T cells, including cellular source of Type 1, 2, and 3 cytokines, in a local DTH reaction and their modulation by oral drugs remain to be investigated.MethodPurified protein derivative (PPD), nickel, diphencyprone (DPCP), or house dust mite (HDM) was administered as sensitizer to 40 HVs. In addition, 20 HVs were randomized to receive oral prednisone or placebo before DPCP challenge. We characterized the immunophenotype and cytokine profile of CD3+ T cell infiltrate, and examined the modulation by oral prednisone at single‐cell level using multiparameter flow cytometry and unsupervised analysis.ResultsPPD was biased toward a Th1 and Tc1 response, and HDM a Th2/Th17 and Tc2. Nickel and DPCP displayed a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 and Tc1 response. CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), the minor CD4+CD25+FoxP3−ICOS+PD‐1+ (activated PD‐1+ Th), and CD103+ tissue resident memory (TRM) cells were detected in all groups. DPCP uniquely elicited rare CD8+CD103+CD25+RoRγt+PD‐1+ICOS+IFNγ+ T cells (activated CD8+IFNγ+PD‐1+ TRM). Oral prednisone decreased frequencies of activated PD‐1+ Th and CD8+IFNγ+PD‐1+ TRM subsets relative to placebo in DPCP reaction. The latter was positively correlated with improvement of clinical parameters with prednisone.ConclusionDTH and skin CD3+ T cell profiles elicited by common sensitizers can be modulated by oral drugs. Corticosteroids reduce the frequencies of activated PD‐1+ Th and CD8+IFNγ+PD‐1+ TRM cells after DPCP exposure.
The institutional shaping of third sector organizations: Empirical evidence from Italian provinces
Authors: Trasciani Giorgia , Esposito Giovanni , Petrella Francesca , Alfano Vincenzo , Gaeta Giuseppe Lucio 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBy relying on province‐level data from Italy, this paper empirically studies the factors that correlate with the development of third sector organizations (TSOs) in the Italian territory. Moving beyond traditional explanations of TSOs development based on population heterogeneity theories, our analysis points to the role of public institutions as key driving factors of Italian TSOs development. It specifically suggests that public authorities may shape the development of TSOs through three different, albeit interconnected, institutional dimensions: (1) control of corruption—that is, design and implementation of policies and regulations to prevent corruption and strengthen trust in the relationships between public authorities and TSOs; (2) rule of law—that is, creation of stable legal frameworks to reduce the uncertainty faced by TSOs when collaborating with the public sector and to limit arbitrary decisions by politicians and bureaucrats; (3) government effectiveness—that is, improving governments’ credibility and administrative capacity to provide grants and funds to TSOs for social and public services delivery.
The impact of lidocaine plaster prescribing reduction strategies: A comparison of two national health services in Europe
Authors: Mattsson Molly , Boland Fiona , Kirke Ciara , Flood Michelle , Wallace Emma , Walsh Mary E. , Corrigan Derek , Fahey Tom , Croker Richard , Bacon Sebastian C. J. , Inglesby Peter , Evans David , Goldacre Ben , MacKenna Brian , Moriarty Frank 
Published: May 2023

AimsIn 2017, two distinct interventions were implemented in Ireland and England to reduce prescribing of lidocaine medicated plasters. In Ireland, restrictions on reimbursement were introduced through implementation of an application system for reimbursement. In England, updated guidance on items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care, including lidocaine plasters, was published. This study aims to compare how the interventions impacted prescribing of lidocaine plasters in these countries.MethodsWe conducted an interrupted time‐series study using general practice data. For Ireland, monthly dispensing data (2015–2019) from the means‐tested General Medical Services (GMS) scheme was used. For England, data covered all patients. Outcomes were the rate of dispensings, quantity and costs of lidocaine plasters, and we modelled level and trend changes from the first full month of the policy/guidance change.ResultsIreland had higher rates of lidocaine dispensings compared to England throughout the study period; this was 15.22/1000 population immediately pre‐intervention, and there was equivalent to a 97.2% immediate reduction following the intervention. In England, the immediate pre‐intervention dispensing rate was 0.36/1000, with an immediate reduction of 0.0251/1000 (a 5.8% decrease), followed by a small but significant decrease in the monthly trend relative to the pre‐intervention trend of 0.0057 per month.ConclusionsAmong two different interventions aiming to decrease low‐value lidocaine plaster prescribing, there was a substantially larger impact in Ireland of reimbursement restriction compared to issuing guidance in England. However, this is in the context of much higher baseline rates of use in Ireland compared to England.
A sequential Bayesian changepoint detection procedure for aberrant behaviours in computerized testing
Authors: Lu Jing , Wang Chun , Zhang Jiwei , Wang Xue 
Published: May 2023

AbstractChangepoints are abrupt variations in a sequence of data in statistical inference. In educational and psychological assessments, it is essential to properly differentiate examinees' aberrant behaviours from solution behaviour to ensure test reliability and validity. In this paper, we propose a sequential Bayesian changepoint detection algorithm to monitor the locations of changepoints for response times in real time and, subsequently, further identify types of aberrant behaviours in conjunction with response patterns. Two simulation studies were conducted to investigate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed detection procedure in terms of identifying one or multiple changepoints at different locations. In addition to manipulating the number and locations of changepoints, two types of aberrant behaviours were also considered: rapid guessing behaviour and cheating behaviour. Simulation results indicate that ability estimates could be improved after removing responses from aberrant behaviours identified by our approach. Two empirical examples were analysed to illustrate the application of the proposed sequential Bayesian changepoint detection procedure.