bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Global Fallout: Radioactive Materials from Atmospheric Nuclear Tests That Fell Half a Century Ago and Where to Find Them
Authors: Ito Eriko , Miura Satoru , Aoyama Michio , Shichi Koji 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe entire world was exposed to a global fallout of cesium-137 (137Cs-GFO) produced from the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests examined mainly in the 1950s and 1960s. Clarifying the residual status of 137Cs-GFO for an extended period (~50 years) after the fallout in Japan will provide strong evidence to predict the future of 137Cs emitted by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident.Based on research conducted after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, the FDNPP-generated 137Cs fallout has been predicted to accumulate in the surface mineral soil and remain there for a long time. We questioned whether this insight could be applied to the FDNPP-generated 137Cs falling on forest soils in Japan. This is because the geographical features of forests in Japan are characterized by steep terrain and heavy rainfall, different from forests in the Northern European continent.To confirm the prediction, that is, the long-term persistence of 137Cs in forest soil, we explored the consequences of 137Cs-GFO in forested areas across Japan after half a century from the fallout deposition. We determined the amount of residual 137Cs-GFO in surface soils (0–30 cm depth) using the forest soil sample archives collected shortly before the FDNPP accident.The residual 137Cs-GFO in forest soils was not significantly different from the cumulative 137Cs-GFO obtained at observatories. We confirmed that most of the 137Cs-GFO remained within 30 cm of the soil surface even half a century after the fallout. However, the spatially heterogeneous 137Cs-GFO inventory within the forest was found to correspond to various vertical distribution patterns of 137Cs-GFO. The correspondence between the 137Cs-GFO inventory and the vertical distribution pattern indicates that the vertical distribution patterns resulted from active 137Cs-GFO-contaminated sediment migration in the forest over the past half-century and not due to differences in the vertical infiltration rate of 137Cs-GFO.Although most of the 137Cs-GFO was assumed to remain within the forest surface soil, the 137Cs-GFO inventory was considerably smaller than the cumulative deposition of 137Cs-GFO (79%). Regarding the destination of the missing 137Cs-GFO, in addition to sediment discharge into the water system, this study indicates the possibility of local storage of 137Cs-GFO in soils deeper than 30 cm in the forest.Forest management that reduces sediment redistribution on the forest floor would help prevent the FDNPP-generated 137Cs from flowing out of the forest.
Structure, Composition, and Physicochemical Properties of Radiocesium-Bearing Microparticles Emitted by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Authors: Okumura Taiga , Yamaguchi Noriko , Kogure Toshihiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDuring the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, radiocesium-bearing microparticles (CsMPs) were released from damaged reactors into the environment. These micron-sized spherical particles with high specific radioactivity have not been reported in previous nuclear accidents. Herein, the current understanding of the structure, composition, and physicochemical properties of CsMPs is summarized. Electron microscopy revealed that the CsMP matrix is composed of silicate glass containing Na, Cl, K, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sn, and Cs as major constituents. These elements are often inhomogeneously distributed, depending on the particle radius, and Cs was concentrated around the outer side of the particles. In addition, nanocrystals including Cr-rich oxides and chalcogenides were frequently found inside CsMPs. The average valence state of Fe in the CsMP glass matrix was almost Fe2+, indicating formation under a reducing atmosphere through condensation from the gas phase. Radiocesium diffused away from the CsMPs when heated to >600 °C. Accordingly, CsMPs may lose their high specific radioactivity when related radiation-contaminated waste is incinerated at sufficiently high temperatures. Although CsMP solubility is low, they cannot be regarded as “insoluble” materials owing to their small size. CsMP dissolution rates depend on the pH and dissolved species in the solution, and their dissolution behavior is comparable to that of silica-rich glass. Based on these dissolution properties, a method for estimating CsMP abundance and spatial distribution in the environment was proposed. The findings detailed herein contribute to the comprehensive elucidation of CsMP environmental dynamics.
Verification of Effects on Crops and Surrounding Environment in Agriculture Using Radioactively Contaminated Grass Silage Compost Made by Aerobic Ultrahigh Temperature Fermentation
Authors: Yoshii Takahiro , Furui Yoshihiro , Oshima Tairo , Manabe Noboru 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co. Ltd.) accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (11 March 2011) contaminated farmland, grassland, and grass silage in the Tohoku region of Japan with radioactive cesium. In previous studies, we have converted contaminated pasture grasses to compost by employing aerobic ultrahigh temperature fermentation and this showed below acceptable levels of radioactivity. In the present study, we verified whether the decontaminated compost could be safely applied to grassland. A 1200 m2 pastureland (average 320 Bq/kg) in Kurihara-city, Miyagi-prefecture, Japan, was divided into 6 plots, of which 4 plots were treated with 2, 5, 10, and 30 kg of grass silage compost (297 Bq/kg) per m2. In the control plot, chemical fertilizers or nonradioactive cattle manure were applied. After those plots were plowed, orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) was sown and grown for about 2 months. No significant changes in soil radiocesium concentrations or air dose rates were observed in the pastures during and after the cultivation period. The water quality of the river in the vicinity of the pasture was also not affected. The radiocesium levels in the grass harvested from all plots, including the test plot with 30 kg per m2 of application, were below the detection limit (below 20 Bq/kg), less than one-fifth of the provisional value (100 Bq/kg) for forage. These results demonstrate that radioactive contaminated grass silage compost can be safely applied to actual pastures.
Meeting the Challenge of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Authors: d’Abbs Peter , Hewlett Nicole 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders(FASD) is a major source of neurodevelopmental impairment among both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. Its effects are experienced not only by families directly affected, but also in health, education, child protection, youthyoung peopleand criminal justicesystems. Nationally, the prevalenceof FASD is poorly documented and services for prevention, diagnosis and treatment are inadequately resourced. In the case of remote Aboriginal communities, the challenges inherent in diagnosingFASD are compounded by the costs of delivering specialist services to remote settings. In recent decades, several Aboriginal communities have taken the initiative and developed community-led programs for assessing the prevalence ofFASD, creating culturally appropriateeducation and support services, and developing capacity to diagnose FASD in primary health care settings. This chapter describes these initiatives and considers the implications for other communities and policy-makers.
The beneficial use of nitric oxide during cardiopulmonary bypass on postoperative outcomes in children and adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2897 patients
Authors: Abouzid Mohamed , Roshdy Yara , Daniel John Magdy , Rzk Fayed Mohamed , Ismeal Ali Ahmed Ali , Hendawy Mohamed , Tanashat Mohammad , Elnagar Marwa , Daoud Nada , Ramadan Alaa 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Investigate inhaled nitric oxide’s influence on mortality rates, mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital when administered during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods
Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) up to 4th March 2023. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database with ID: CRD42023423007. Using Review Manager software, we reported outcomes as risk ratios (RRs) or mean difference (MD) and confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
The meta-analysis included a total of 17 studies with 2897 patients. Overall, there were no significant differences in using nitric oxide over control concerning mortality (RR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.45; P = 0.88) or cardiopulmonary bypass duration (MD = −0.14, 95% CI − 0.96 to 0.69; P = 0.74). The intensive care unit days were significantly lower in the nitric oxide group than control (MD = −0.80, 95% CI − 1.31 to −0.29; P = 0.002). Difference results were obtained in terms of the length of stay in the hospital according to sensitivity analysis (without sensitivity [MD = −0.41, 95% CI − 0.79 to −0.02; P = 0.04] vs. with sensitivity [MD = −0.31, 95% CI − 0.69 to 0.07; P = 0.11]. Subgroup analysis shows that, in children, nitric oxide was favored over control in significantly reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation (MD = −4.58, 95% CI − 5.63 to −3.53; P < 0.001).

Conclusion
Using inhaled nitric oxide during cardiopulmonary bypass reduces the length of stay in the intensive care unit, and for children, it reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation.
Experience with abatacept in refractory lupus nephritis
Authors: Calatayud Emma , Montomoli Marco , Ávila Ana , Sancho Calabuig Asunción , Alegre-Sancho Juan José 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLupus nephritis is a major cause of morbidity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Responsiveness to treatment is crucial to avoid chronic kidney disease. New molecules have been developed in recent years to improve renal survival rates. Biological therapies as coadjutant to conventional induction treatment have been tested in randomized clinical trials with heterogeneous results. Like many others biologic therapies, Abatacept has not shown a clear benefit in the context of clinical trials. We present two cases of lupus nephritis patients in whom addition of abatacept resulted in complete remission of the renal disease. The first case described a 49-year-old male with class IV lupus nephritis with nephrotic range proteinuria and high immunological activity refractory to conventional treatment with cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids and multitarget therapy with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. Several biological therapies (rituximab, belimumab and tocilizumab) were unsuccessfully tried, so that abatacept was added to his background multitarget therapy showing complete clinical response. The second case described a 52-year-old female with class IV lupus nephritis treated initially with conventional treatment with partial response. In successive renal flares with nephrotic proteinuria, she showed intolerance to rituximab and refractoriness to voclosporin. Finally, abatacept was added to her background therapy with MMF and PDN showing complete and maintained remission of the disease. In no case the use of abatacept was associated with serious adverse events. Based on our experience, abatacept should be considered as a safe rescue therapy in patients with refractory lupus nephritis and proteinuria with nephrotic range. In addition to this case, we reviewed the use of abatacept in lupus nephritis in the literature.
An isogeometric analysis framework for ventricular cardiac mechanics
Authors: Willems Robin , Janssens Koen L. P. M. , Bovendeerd Peter H. M. , Verhoosel Clemens V. , van der Sluis Olaf 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe finite element method (FEM) is commonly used in computational cardiac simulations. For this method, a mesh is constructed to represent the geometry and, subsequently, to approximate the solution. To accurately capture curved geometrical features many elements may be required, possibly leading to unnecessarily large computation costs. Without loss of accuracy, a reduction in computation cost can be achieved by integrating geometry representation and solution approximation into a single framework using the isogeometric analysis (IGA) paradigm. In this study, we propose an IGA framework suitable for echocardiogram data of cardiac mechanics, where we show the advantageous properties of smooth splines through the development of a multi-patch anatomical model. A nonlinear cardiac model is discretized following the IGA paradigm, meaning that the spline geometry parametrization is directly used for the discretization of the physical fields. The IGA model is benchmarked with a state-of-the-art biomechanics model based on traditional FEM. For this benchmark, the hemodynamic response predicted by the high-fidelity FEM model is accurately captured by an IGA model with only 320 elements and 4700 degrees of freedom. The study is concluded by a brief anatomy-variation analysis, which illustrates the geometric flexibility of the framework. The IGA framework can be used as a first step toward an efficient workflow for an improved understanding of, and clinical decision support for, the treatment of cardiac diseases like heart rhythm disorders.
Effect of surgery on the long-term use of opioids in patients with degenerative back disorders: a retrospective register-based study
Authors: Iachina M. , Wod M. , Garvik O. S. , Schiøttz-Christensen B. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study based exclusively on register-data provides a scientific basis for further research on the use of opioids in patients with degenerative back disorder. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether surgically treated back pain patients have the same risk of being long-term opioid users as back pain patients who did not have surgery.

Methods
We performed a retrospective register-based cohort study based on all patients diagnosed with a degenerative back disorder at the Spine Center of Southern Denmark from 2011 to 2017. The primary outcome of the study was the use of opioids two years after the patient's first hospital contact with a degenerative back condition. Fisher exact tests were used for descriptive analyses. The effect of the surgery was estimated using adjusted logistic regression analyses.

Results
For patients who used opioids before the first hospital contact, the ratio for long-term opioid use for surgically treated patients is significantly lower than for non-surgically treated patients (OR = 0.75, 95%CI (0.66; 0.86)). For patients who did not use opioids before, the ratio for long-term opioid use for surgically treated patients does not differ from that of non-surgically treated patients (OR = 1.01, 95%CI (0.84; 1.22)).

Conclusions
Patients with a degenerative back disorder who used opioids before their first visit to a specialized spine center have a lower risk of becoming long-term opioid users if they were surgically treated. Whereas for patients who did not use opioids before the first visit, surgical treatment does not influence the risk of becoming long-term opioid users.
Piranha-etched titanium nanostructure reduces biofilm formation in vitro
Authors: Mukaddam Khaled , Astasov-Frauenhoffer Monika , Fasler-Kan Elizaveta , Ruggiero Sabrina , Alhawasli Farah , Kisiel Marcin , Meyer Ernst , Köser Jochen , Bornstein Michael M. , Wagner Raphael S. , Kühl Sebastian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Nano-modified surfaces for dental implants may improve gingival fibroblast adhesion and antibacterial characteristics through cell-surface interactions. The present study investigated how a nanocavity titanium surface impacts the viability and adhesion of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and compared its response to Porphyromonas gingivalis with those of marketed implant surfaces.

Material and methods
Commercial titanium and zirconia disks, namely, sandblasted and acid-etched titanium (SLA), sandblasted and acid-etched zirconia (ZLA), polished titanium (PT) and polished zirconia (ZrP), and nanostructured disks (NTDs) were tested. Polished titanium disks were etched with a 1:1 combination of 98% H2SO4 and 30% H2O2 (piranha etching) for 5 h at room temperature to produce the NTDs. Atomic force microscopy was used to measure the surface topography, roughness, adhesion force, and work of adhesion. MTT assays and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine cell viability and adhesion after incubation of HGF-1 cells on the disk surfaces. After incubation with P. gingivalis, conventional culture, live/dead staining, and SEM were used to determine the antibacterial properties of NTD, SLA, ZLA, PT, and ZrP.

Results
Etching created nanocavities with 10–20-nm edge-to-edge diameters. Chemical etching increased the average surface roughness and decreased the surface adherence, while polishing and flattening of ZrP increased adhesion. However, only the NTDs inhibited biofilm formation and bacterial adherence. The NTDs showed antibacterial effects and P. gingivalis vitality reductions. The HGF-1 cells demonstrated greater viability on the NTDs compared to the controls.

Conclusion
Nanocavities with 10–20-nm edge-to-edge diameters on titanium disks hindered P. gingivalis adhesion and supported the adhesion of gingival fibroblasts when compared to the surfaces of currently marketed titanium or zirconia dental implants.

Clinical relevance
This study prepared an effective antibacterial nanoporous surface, assessed its effects against oral pathogens, and demonstrated that surface characteristics on a nanoscale level influenced oral pathogens and gingival fibroblasts.
Clinical trial registration: not applicable
Diagnostic delay in patients with giant cell arteritis: results of a fast-track clinic
Authors: van Nieuwland Marieke , Colin Edgar M. , Boumans Dennis , Vermeer Marloes , Brouwer Elisabeth , Alves Celina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGiant cell arteritis (GCA) can lead to severe complications if left untreated. The aim of this study was to describe time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment in GCA suspected patients in a fast-track clinic (FTC), and secondarily to assess the influence of GCA symptoms on this time. A retrospective cohort consisting of suspected GCA patients who visited the FTC between January 2017 and October 2019 was used. Time between symptom onset, first general practitioner visit, FTC referral, first FTC visit, and treatment initiation was analysed. Furthermore, this was stratified for subtypes of GCA and GCA symptoms. Of 205 patients referred with suspected GCA, 61 patients received a final diagnosis of GCA (GCA+) and 144 patients had no GCA (GCA−). Median time after onset of symptoms to first FTC visit was 31.0 days (IQR 13.0–108.8) in all referred patients. Time between onset of symptoms and first GP visit was 10.5 (4.0–36.3) days, and time between first GP visit and FTC referral was 10.0 (1.0–47.5) days. Patients were generally seen at the FTC within 1 day after referral. For patients with isolated cranial GCA (n = 41), median delay from onset of symptoms to treatment initiation was 21.0 days (11.0–73.5), while this was 57.0 days (33.0–105.0) in patients with extracranial large-vessel involvement (n = 20) (p = 0.02). Our results indicate considerable delay between symptom onset and FTC referral in patients suspected of GCA. Suspected patients were examined and GCA+ patients were treated instantly after referral.

Key Points

• GCA can cause severe complications with delayed treatment, but non-specific symptoms make diagnosis challenging.• Diagnostic delay still occurs despite introducing a successful fast-track clinic resulting from delay between start of symptoms and FTC referral.• Patients who presented with constitutional symptoms had longer delay than patients who presented with isolated cranial symptoms.
Climate change impacts on tree crop suitability in Southeast Asia
Authors: Appelt Jonas L. , Saphangthong Thatheva , Malek Žiga , Verburg Peter H. , van Vliet Jasper 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCultivation of tree crops such as coconut, oil palm and rubber are an important source of income in Southeast Asia, both for the national economies and for the local population. Climate change has the potential to drastically affect the suitability for growing these crops, but until now the impacts thereof on existing production areas have not been considered. This study combines climate change projections with data on crop cultivation to analyze how suitability for coconut, oil palm and rubber will change under different scenarios in Southeast Asia. We find that projected increases in total precipitation and longer dry periods in the insular part of Southeast Asia will result in 127,000 ha of current coconut and 1.17 Mha of current oil palm area will no longer be highly suitable under the most severe climate scenario. Conversely, increasing temperature in the mainland part of the region will cause 97,000 ha of current rubber cultivation area to become highly suitable. Increasing temperatures will also allow for potential expansion of rubber and coconut cultivation in the northern mainland part of the region, while the potential highly suitable area for oil palm cultivation will decrease. These changes in crop suitability may result in impacts on local farmers, including fall in yields and displacement of cultivation areas. This, in turn, may add pressure to biodiversity conservation in the region since areas that become highly suitable are disproportionally located within Key Biodiversity Areas.
Study on the degradability of plastics with prodegradant additives during anaerobic and aerobic biological waste treatment processes
Authors: Zafiu Christian , Binner Erwin , Höck Lukas , Świechowski Kacper , Huber-Humer Marion 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe degradability of conventional plastic packaging specimens made from PP and PET, that were produced with novel prodegradant additives, was investigated during biological waste treatment processes. The additives were merchandised to foster the degradation of commodity plastics by enzymatic or by abiotic processes. Four different plastic packaging specimens and two different additives were evaluated for their biodegradability during anaerobic and aerobic waste treatment conditions. Aerobic treatment was investigated in laboratory rotting tests, simulating conditions during composting in a plant according to the Austrian state-of-the-art, while anaerobic treatment was investigated in laboratory digestion reactors. The study shows that only the PET specimens showed a loss of mass of ca. 6.5%, during 50 days of digestion at 52 °C. None of the specimens degraded during the aerobic rotting process. None of the materials fragmented into microplastic particles of sizes > 1 mm under the investigated conditions. However, FTIR analysis revealed the oxidation in the case of PP specimens, which indicated a mediated oxidation process during composting, independent of the merchandised mechanism of predegradation. Under anaerobic conditions, the plastic specimens containing reactors produced more biogas within the first 20 days of digestion, that did not originate from an observable degradation of the plastics.